Urmila #atozchallenge

a to z challenge


Book Blurb From GoodReads:

As the title says it, it's about Sita's sister, Urmila, also Lakshman's bride, whom he left behind in the palace of Ayodhya for fourteen lonely years. She could have insisted on joining her husband as Sita did. But she did not. Instead, she silently braved tears and tragedy and loneliness. Why? This is her story: Urmila, the most overlooked character in the Ramayan. 

Book Blurb From Amazon:


From the bestselling author of Karna’s Wife, comes this book about Urmila, Sita’s sister and the neglected wife of Lakshman, and one of the most overlooked characters in the Ramayana. As Sita prepares to go into exile, her younger sisters stay back at the doomed palace of Ayodhya, their smiles, hope and joy wiped away in a single stroke. And through the tears and the tragedy one woman of immense strength and conviction stands apart—Urmila, whose husband, Lakshman, has chosen to accompany his brother Ram to the forest rather than stay with his bride. She could have insisted on joining Lakshman, as did Sita with Ram. But she did not. Why did she agree to be left behind in the palace, waiting for her husband for fourteen painfully long years? From the bestselling author of Karna’s Wife. The most detailed retelling of the story of the legendary Urmila, little known in mythology. A riveting combination of fact and fiction that will keep readers engrossed.

Ramayana and Mahabharata are the Indian epics with numerous versions, perspectives and re-tellings. I have not read this book but I am very curious about the character Urmila and about the Ramayana from her perspective. Like reading 'Yagyanseni'-the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective did change certain viewpoints I had held earlier, and altered some things I took for granted. This book is in my top to-be-read list. I really want to know the story of the lesser known character- the most overlooked character in Ramayana- this forgotten heroine of Indian literature-Urmila.

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Queeristan by Parmesh Sahani

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  Queeristan (Amazon Link) Thanks to Audible Free Trial I listened to this amazing non-fiction on LGBTQ inclusion in Indian workplaces. Author Parmesh Sahani identifies as gay Indian, working closely with Godrej higher management and employees for years to create an inclusive workplace, both legally and in spirit. This book is a result of those years of experience, research, collaboration with individuals from difference spectrum of the society and organizations who has successfully transitioned into a queer friendly one.   Indian history is inclusive. From the Khajuraho temple architectures, to Konark to the Rig Veda, there is existing proofs even 2000 years ago of Indian inclusiveness of queer. It’s the draconian British law that criminalised it, which was scraped in 2009, came into effect once again following a sad judgement in 2013 and eventually was scraped off for good in 2018. I am in awe of the lawyers who fought this legal battle- colleagues and partners – Arundhati Katju

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