Old Review on 'Immortals of Meluha'

This week I took an off from everything.

So, let us go over an old review of a book I loved the most ♥

'Immortals of Meluha' from 'Shiva Trilogy series'

The book is written by an INDIAN author(I'm impressed) named Amish/Amish Tripathi who is inherently from Banaras and his religious grandfather and father can be said to be the inspiration of writing on 'GODS'.

To be honest, while picking this book I was scared because I have read basic romantic novels of Indian authors (Chetan Bhagat and Ravinder Singh) and have seen them fail to impress me as i grew older/mature. That doubt only kept me from grabbing the opportunity to get all 3 of the trilogy for less amount in the book fair(sad).

Actually, it would have taken me hardly a weak(with me getting scolding and hiding book to read) but due to some issues, I finished it off in 2 weeks with gaps. The book is years old and still was found/is found in each stall/shops across Delhi. You can get how much popular it is. This review, though late(does not make sense) but will be going through all details I found interesting, different, and actually weird too.

In some words, if I could give it: This is my first historical fiction as a NOVEL. Though being Jodha Akbar(series) fan, I have read many fictions as such. I feel this will stay close to my heart as it puts Shiva as a friend, rather than usual *angry God* status. Now let us get to the analysis. I will like to warn those who have not yet read the novel to either first read or continue at their own risk. (Spoiler alerts)

1. Beginning: The novel begins with Shiva being a leader of a tribe pointlessly fighting some battle to survive. What makes you interested in him is his attitude(positive) and the mysteriousness. Definitely, he is powerful(as a human only). Slowly as u read u will understand HE IS ACTUALLY A TIBETAN. And is coming to India(called here).

2. Background: The whole novel revolves around civilisation as such. Talking about Meluha(better than the movie 'Mohenjo-Daro') and it actually improves your geography about historical rivers(though I remember none of it. Poor memory).

3. Characters: Each character stands out. Be it in war field or in dialogues. Parvateshwar being the most sensible yet Ram bhakta to my favourite Brahaspati. Each person has a say. Nandi being Shivas close Bhakt. The nagging and overenthusiastic Sati's father to SATI HERSELF(separate session is there for her)

4. History: I hardly cared for whether he followed the timeline accurately. Because the concept itself was something uniques and much needed to INDIA. But will definitely want a historical suggestion, views and criticism from anyone with proof or knowledge.

5. War sequences:(spoiler alert) the first war sequence(fight to be precise) between the NAGA and Shiva is very beautifully put together. But the 'arrow of fire' part was messed up. Maybe I was not paying attention. I had to read twice to understand because the simultaneous attacks were a web of understanding the situation. Too intricate to follow that Sati is running to save Shiva. But in the end, She clears it all.

The last and the main fight between the Suryavanshis and Chandravanshis are exquisite. The way Shiva puts in his view. The formations(my fav. being the arm forces with bow and arrow). HOW AMISH HAD MADE SURE HE INCLUDED THE TRISHUL(An object used by Shiva instead of Spear). The way it is shown that Shiva himself designs that is very unique and worth praise.

6. Shiva: Obviously the hero is to be discussed separately. The growth of the character occurs throughout the novel. You begin with a tribe, finally becoming a passionate lover, to a dear friend, to saviour and who finally collides into MAHADEV. Shiva is a normal person who has his share of fears and negativeness. But him, overcoming it and he accepting his mistakes and carrying off his burden as a crown is what makes him The GOD OF GODS. I have personally never seen any movie/show portraying Shiva as this. This man does break into the anger pangs(we know from childhood, teen netr etc) but what makes him different from the ones in movie and serials that he is understanding. He accepts. He apologises. He has no ego. Amish bought the traditional Trishul(Shiva's usual astr), his beautiful dance, mysterious throat and a little bit of tri netr concept. And I'm eagerly waiting to see the rest of Parmeshwar unfold into this Shiva. (Spoiler alert) He opposes the Vikarma system not for the person he loves but for the whole tribe as such. The moment He Agrees to fight. These points not only made Parvateshwar his servant but can influence the reader to bow down to him. His intellectual and simple friendly behaviour is the hero of the novel. He continuously swears(hehe) but the way he explains it as a way of putting one's point of view is uniques in its own and very much accepted by the youth. Therefore he is an easy role model for most. Shiva, using chillum has not been yet justified. But hopefully, it will be cleared soon.

7. Sati: The Princess of Suryavanshis. I can imagine those fierce-looking walk yet graceful pace and the innocent eyes as the Author describes her. Nymph or not. She is Shiva's soul. The one 'Vasudev' explaining to Shiva to stop asking her to let him protect her is worth reading. And the way Shiva lets his other half shine equally throughout the novel is incredible. Sati, besides Shiva, continues to be an inspiration to the girls. She does not rebel. But she demands request. What we lag as teens is what Sati has. She is the perfect heroine to any novel. Pretty to see, hard to get. Haha. A perfect princess. Ain't she?

8. My other favourite character: Brahaspati- Poor me, he died though. (i thought back then in this novel) He is one of those people in the novel whom you want to meet personally. I love how the author has woven traditional and religious materials like 'somras' with science. Brahaspati, being the one explaining becomes the second hero, to a science student like me. He, in one of the chapters questions to Shiva about While HUMAN BODY CONTINUES TO STORE EXCESS FOOD AND WATER. I.E WE CAN GO WITHOUT FOOD/WATER FOR A MINIMAL TIME PERIOD. BUT WE CANT SURVIVE WITHOUT OXYGEN.(shame is that most of us would not have thought about it.) BECAUSE OXYGEN IN GREAT AMOUNT IS HARMFUL AS IN CONVERTS TO OXIDANTS WHICH DETERIORATES BODY AND CAUSES AGING. Somras ACTS AS GREEN TEA TO BE PRECISE I.E ANTIOXIDANT AND FLUSHES THE TOXIC RADICALS AWAY.

Imagine with how adoring eyes I must be wanting to meet Brahaspati and get answers for my question. He also discusses the blue throat of SHIVA. He gives partial explanation too, though its still a mystery due to his absurd death before revelation. Bluethroat of Shiva is explained in the following way: Shiva being a tribe(living in the upper thin atmosphere), he is adjusted to consume less oxygen, so fewer oxidants. Hence some chemical locha(yet to be solved) that gave blue coloured ppt(lol). Why other tribes did not get this? Not answered.

9. Curious questions yet to be the answer--- to be true, the whole novel is full of suspense. Sometimes it is about Sati. Sometimes it is about Shiva' past. Sometimes it is about Rama. Sometimes it about war. Sometimes it is about is there any evil(yes really! I'm not kidding). So the whole time we are going through a roller coaster of suspense and thrill and in between Sati and her arrow manages to make us misty-eyed.

Questions whose answers are yet to be found.

1. How will Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi settle into peace? Will there be any more wars?

2. Where are the Vayuputras? When will Shiva find out? (Probably in third one as the name says)

3. Uma entered in the next novel. I know through the episode given on the last page. Though did not read fully. But curious to know will there be a love triangle or something? Or Sati will die?(seeing the present situation)

4. Who is the Naga? Is he really evil? or good? Deception or this will be like the Chandravanshi case?

5. The Naag on shiva's neck! Will it be answered? Owing to the present scenario. I assume it will be.

6. Bluethroat.

7. Will Ganesha/Karthikey be part of this? Shiva's daughter too put in? Or I'm expecting too much drama?

8. How did Somras cure disease? It is not supposed to do that!

9. Where is Shiva now? If he is immortal! (others too)

10. Scientific technology of these civilizers specially Suryavanshi is terrific! Sach mein kya Ithihas ki parchai vastav se uchi hai?( is history's shadow really bigger than today's reality?)

WHAT I LEARNT: 1.THERE IS NOTHING EVIL. ITS ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE. FOR ME, SOMEONE MAY BE PERFECT, FOR SOMEONE ELSE HE MAY NOT BE. PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT. THEY LIVE DIFFERENTLY.

2. Har har Mahadev. Each of us is Mahadev. We become God by our deeds. Not birth.

3. Any system. Be it Ramarajyam. Or Shiva's world is inevitable to change. A positive change is always welcomed, NOT EASILY BUT EVENTUALLY EVERYONE WILL ACCEPT. The change will surely affect in the beginning, due to the continuous 'im ok with present' mentality of people but in long run, it will be accepted. (Change of 500/100 :P )

4. Just because some God(Ram) designed it(Vikarma system) does not mean it will be right :-)

5. We are classified as Brahmin, Kshatriya and shudra not by birth or jaat! It is through our Karma. (Likewise said in Bhagvat Gita)

6. Sometimes some burdens can not be shared. Even with your partner. They are meant to be carried by you. Thats what will make you succeed. (Success for Shiva is becoming Mahadev. For us, it varies)

Will I recommend it to anyone: Yes. Most youngsters need to read this side of our Gods. And all religious person is requested to read on how only deeds matter. This joy ride of emotions, complications, relation, friendship, duty and God might not be everyone's cup of tea but surely once you read it, it will leave a mark for a lifetime.

Whom I imagined as Shiva: better don't ask. Lol. His swearing and continuous Chillum. Ah sorry. Not revealing.

Favourite Chapter: the whole war sequence and 'Sati and the arrow'

Favourite character: Shiva and Brahaspati.

Role model: Sati

On a scale of 5, I will rate it 4! That one cuz of leaving me with those questions..Bleh.

But I hope, eventually at the end of all trilogy I will be able to give 5.

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#review #theimmortalsofmeluha #theshivatrilogy

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PS: This was my first ever review for any novel. I have finished the rest two too long ago. The questions here are in the context of the first novel.

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