Sunday 2 June 2019

Book Review : Kanha to Krishna by Pranab Mullick


I thank Blogchatter for giving me the opportunity to review this book. When I received the paperback copy of the book ‘Kanha to Krishna’. I was sure to read stories that I have been grown up listening and reading but to my surprise author Pranab Mullick has its own style of narrating the legendary stories. This is my honest review of the book; lets see the review with all the details in the post.
Book Title:
KANHA to KRISHNA, The Journey to Divinity
Book Cover:
The cover is very unique which clearly depicts the transformation of a simple cowherd Kanha to the divine Krishna. The picture perfectly blends with crisp title at the center with the author name too in next line. The white gap that holds the book title and author name kind of serve as a bridge that KANHA crosses to be KRISHNA.
Pranab Mullick Book Review by MeenalSonal


About the Author:
Pranab Kumar Mullick has won many accolades since he was a child. His love for writing was imbibed from his grandfather Dr Raghunath Mullick, and his father late Kali Sankar Mullick who authored many renowned books, short stories and poems on mythological themes.
Pranab has written short stories in both English and Bengal;i his Bengali short stories have been published in reputed magazines like 'Nabakallol' and 'Katha Sahitya' amongst others.
This book Kanha to Krishna - The Journey to Divinity is his debut novel.

The Foreword:
The novel begins with the Author's note which clearly depicts his love for Krishna and leaves a clear message that God takes avatar on Earth to set an example for humans that anything can be achieved through hard work, intelligence, focus and dedication.

The Obvious Plot with a Gripping Twist:
The book takes us in the era of Kanha's birth in tough circumstances where rains were playing havoc on the cowherd’s village. The birth of the little one brings with him a lot of happiness to his parents Nand Rai and Yashoda. His cute face mesmerized each one in the village. The cowherd Kanha happily lived with his parents playing pranks all around the village especially with girls. The Gopi’s of the town of Mathura were grieved by the torture of King Kansa, but kept quiet, as they had no guts to face Kansa and his soldiers.
The book proceeds describing the assistant of Kansa, Chanur who wanted to build his own tribal empire by guiding Kansa in the wrong way and made him believe certain false predictions and imprisoned his parents, sister and brother-in-law. The cunning tactics and the political tricks gripped Kansa in such a way that he believed him blindly and always looked for him as a guide in every decision he made.
The book depicts the phase where Hastinapur, Mathura and all the neighboring princely states were fighting for the expansion of their own empires. All took several political pathways to attain a friendly gesture with the neighboring states to attack in unison to attain the ultimate title of 'Rajchakravarti'.
Among the complete turmoil how an innocent cowherd was recognized as one of the avatars of Vishnu and how the prediction plays its role in safeguarding Kanha is worth reading. The transformation from Kanha to Krishna is filled with treachery, betrayals, sacrifice, dedication, patience, and hard work and above all to end the sufferings of the innocent.
·      How difficult or easy was this journey?
·      How can one sacrifice everything for others?
·      How do we identify the chosen one?
The answer to all these above questions are beautifully explained by the author.

Peacock feather in the author's cap:
·      Though we all are very much aware about the Krishna Leela and the stories related to the incarnation of Vishnu I would suggest that this book has something to say in a strikingly different manner.
·      The author here explains how a strong political mind can catch hold of ones thoughts to grip someone to perform in the way he likes.
·      The chapters are assigned very apt title and to compliment them the author has incorporated various thoughts by other renounced authors.
·      Superb vocabulary and the narration of every moment whether it is conversation of Radha and Krishna or the pampering of Yashoda Maiyya or the war sequences all just sways smoothly as though every sequence is running before my eyes.

Final Word:
Though the story is very familiar to everyone but the way it is essayed answering the why and why not for the decisions that were made at that time is incredible.
It is for all the book lovers who are looking for rich vocabulary and something refreshing from the tales that most of us grown up listening.
I was glued to the book until I finished reading it.
But it still grips me to think was this the way that is portrayed by the author actually happened?

Book Details:
Name: KANHA to KRISHNA, The Journey to Divinity
Author: Pranab Kumar Mullick
Genre: Fiction, Mythology
Publisher: Readomania
Price: 295 INR
My Rating: 4.5/5
@Meenal


32 comments:

  1. That seems like a really interesting book. I am itching to pick it up after reading your review!
    Noor Anand Chawla

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    1. This book has a different take and I am sure you will enjoy it.

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  2. I enjoy reading and watching Indian mythology stories. Definitely going to check this one out!

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  3. This looks like an interesting read. Your review is quite detailed and helpful.

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  4. I am keen to read mythological books. Going to get a copy soon.

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  5. How you depict about the book in your words is quite interesting. I would love to read this book. Thanks for reviewing.

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  6. I love mythology ever since I was a child. Thanks for this fabulous review.

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    1. Though we may have come across the stories of Krishna but this book has something special to offer.

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  7. That sounds like a very interesting mythological read, I will definitely give this a go.

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    1. Yes the Author has done a complete justice and presented such a fabulous work.

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  8. I like it when mythology is seen as a metaphor and is connected to real life. This book seems to give a similar perspective. Will check it out.

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  9. Krishna's character is one of the most intriguing ones. What he did why he did and what role he played without actually doing anything make it all the more interesting. Will get this book for sure.

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    1. Yes exactly Krishna is all about how you portray and prioritize things in life.

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  10. Though I don't read mythological books but you have reviewed it so well. Might think of reading this.

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    1. You can try this book for a refreshing take.

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  11. This kind of nbook helps you learn a lot with no stress

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    1. Yes I totally agree that this book teaches us many life lessons.

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  12. i like books which create a link to the real life. this looks like a great read. would like to grab a copy of it soon

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    1. This book is all about sacrifices and love.

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  13. I am looking for mythological boojs to read. I would get this one and enjoy reading

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  14. I love the way you have described the book. Would love to read once for sure.

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  15. Currently I am reading this book and seriously I am already in love with it. The narration of the story is so gripping. It provides altogether a different perspective to the incidents happened in the past,specially the political incidents are described in such a way, I had never read before. It also provides food for the brain and people who are studying politics or wants to understand the political aspects, must read it once.

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  16. I always your way of reviewing a book. The best part is you pay attention the cover page too. This is the first time, I came across any such book which talks about Krishna from him being a child "mahanchor" to the divine Bhagawan. I would love to check out this book.

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  17. The cover of the book itself is so quirky and your super high rating is compelling me to pick this book up for a read! Thanks for sharing!
    Noor

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  18. Wow the plot of this book sounds really different and interesting. yes, we all had read and watched Krishan leela stories many times but it would be interesting to read author's perspective on journey of "kanha to Krishna". as usual, your review was crisp and to the point. will surly try to check out this book.

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  19. Introspection of past and if it is done for such vital mythological character and stories it makes it a interesting read. Would love to check this out.. Thanks for the review.

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  20. I have recently got into reading mythology based book. Based on your reviews, this book looks interesting. Will check it out

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