Review:

Do you enjoy reading about Indian History?

“But the universe documents every karma and adjusts destiny to counter its effect. It is not for any of us to control.”

Koral Dasgupta, with her writings, leaves readers in awe as she explores the lives of the Panchkanyas from the Indian epics. Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari, and now Tara—Koral reimagine their stories, offering readers a fresh and powerful perspective leaving them engrossed in the world she paints. Tara, the character I met a few months back, left me with many thoughts. After revisiting her a few months later, I fell in love with the Pishachini of the Forest even more.

 In ‘Tara’, Koral introduces us to the kingdom of animals and their way of life, drawing us into a mesmerizing saga. Through powerful and vivid storytelling, Koral introduces us to Tara, the monkey queen of the kingdom of Kishkindha and the mighty Bali, Sugreev, and Ruma, along with Maa Anjani, Jamvan, and Hanuman.

“Relationships don’t make characters; actions do.”

The animals welcome the two brothers in the forest. While everyone is happy with their presence, Tara doesn’t like their company much. Little did she know, the brothers were going to change her life and the forest. Tara and Ruma spend some time with the brothers as they have the responsibility to take care of them. The elders of the forest want the brothers to stay and rule the forest. Bali professes his love for Tara, and the forest witnesses the change. It’s an enthralling saga of the forest kingdom of Kinshkindha where Mighty Bali believes in Animal wisdom, and his brother Sugreev believes in human rationality. Everything was well in the forest until a mishap happened. What will happen next?

Mesmerizing, strong, powerful, and full of secrets – that’s how I would define this book. A book that takes us into Tara’s life and her ways of dealing with the situations as she navigates between her past with Bali and her present with Sugreev. The story starts brilliantly, and as we delve into the lives of the forest and know Tara, we feel her love and curiosity. With a strong, compelling storyline and a gripping plot, Koral beautifully weaves the story of love, loss, hope, fate, and acceptance. The rich descriptive narrative makes readers feel what Tara goes through. With the different ideologies of the brothers, Tara has her ways which is exciting to read as she negotiates for peace and pride amidst the politics of human cruelty and animal instincts.

From the start, Koral sets the tone of the story right, filled with drama, suspense, and layers of truth. With each chapter, we see a truth unfold, sometimes without filters. Her conversations with people around her, her bond with each of them, and her curiosity to know the secrets make readers fall in love with Tara. With each chapter, we see her grow, we see how she creates balance beautifully, especially after Bali’s death. We see Tara as a daughter, as a wife, as a mother and as a queen, and every shade of her blends beautifully with who she is, The seeker of secrets.

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The characters are well-developed and add depth to the storyline. We see Maa Anjani talking about Hanuman’s adventure, Hanuman who adds value to their lives, the bond Tara shared with Sugreev, and the unity of the kingdom. Each element adds depth to the narrative. It’s a smooth-paced story, with each chapter drawing readers deeper into Tara’s world. Tara’s growth throughout the story is portrayed with nuance and grace, making her a character worthy of admiration. Additionally, the bond she shares with Sugreev and others weaves an enchanting tale that leaves a lasting impression. A cinematic climax adds charm to the story. The way the story takes shape makes us fall in love with Tara more and more.

In all, ‘Tara’ is an emotional, powerful, and engrossing read with a stunning narrative. Whether you’re a fan of Indian history or the Ramayana, this book is a must-read that will leave you deeply moved and immersed in its world.

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