Book Title:	Ajaya-Part I(Roll of Dice)
Author:	Anand Neelakantan
Series:	Epic of the Kaurava Clan
Paperback:	456 pages
Publisher:	Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd;
Edition:	First edition (December 1, 2013)
Language:	English

Centuries have rolled but the magic of Mahabharata is still here in this country and it will continue in the centuries to come.

Part History, Part Mythology, Mahabharata tales are part and parcel of every household's storytelling session in India and parts of South Asia.

Ajaya is a modern take on Mahabharatha and its characters by Anand Neelakantan. He happily joins a new breed of English/Indian authors who have set out to offer fresh perspectives on age old legends and mythological tales of India - following the stunning success of Immortals of Meluha series.



In Ajaya, Anand provides a different perception of the villainous Duryodhana.In his version, Duryodhana is a powerful and intelligent character and not just a cookie cut evil Kaurava prince. There are several positive aspects in him which are well bought out in this skilfully crafted novel.

It needs significant courage to challenge the images of the Pandavas and the Kauravas etched in everyone's memory.. after all it has been repeated for well over 2000 years if not earlier. But Anand Neelakantan boldly sets out on this journey and discovers - to everyone's surprise - a new dimension of Duryodhana. And he does it systematically. With planning and dexterity. In simple and elegant language.

In his own words the author says,"Honestly if u remove religion from the picture,Duryodhana is a fascinating character,Thousands of people wouldn't support him in the battle if it weren't for his stunning intelligence and power".

The friendship between Duryodhana and Karna is it self a separate epic to be studied and cherished.Who would be so magnanimous? Who would elevate the status of a charioteer's son to that of a royal king?

In the end, one invariably feels that life is just not about good versus evil. It seems to be more complex game.

Mahabharata continues to mesmerise one and all, in every other form and presentation.

And therein lies its magic.

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