'Abhimanyu is characterised by kindness and compassion'

Bestselling Indian author and New Age Indian classicist Anuja Chandramouli is out with her 12th book—Abhimanyu. She talks about the book and more with NewsDrum. An excerpt from the interview:

Your debut work centred on Arjuna. Why did it take so long to come to Abhimanyu?

Arjuna was one of the most beautiful and fulfilling experiences of all time. I was very happy with how the book shaped up and the phenomenal response to it. I had given it everything I could and it felt like the right time to take a break from the Mahabharata.

Nearly a decade and 11 books later, I worked on a series for YouTube called Mahabharata with Anuja. Chandralekha Maitra, who was the editor of Arjuna happened to watch it and she called me immediately after viewing episode 16 featuring Abhimanyu to say that it was time for me to return to the Mahabharata with this beloved character, who deserved a book all to himself. It was in the middle of the first Covid lockdown and researching and writing another book was the last thing I wanted to do but I could not refuse. And so, Abhimanyu happened.

Working on his story was far more challenging than his father’s had been but every bit, if not more rewarding, for now, I feel like I have actually lived through and witnessed the events of the Mahabharata from Arjuna as well as Abhimanyu’s eyes.

What, according to you, is that one trait that sets Abhimanyu apart from the rest?

My favourite thing about Abhimanyu is that despite being born with otherworldly strength, talent and good looks, he was characterised by kindness, compassion and the desire to do the right thing by everyone. The bloody war fought in Kurukshetra brought out the savage beast even in characters that are otherwise considered noble, honourable and virtuous. All of them did unworthy things which sullied their reputations. Abhimanyu was the sole exception for he was never less than humane and decent, even when his enemies surrounded him and he knew that death was nigh. Desperate as the situation was, he chose not to lose the moral high ground or compromise his principles even though he had the tools in his arsenal to slaughter them all. The Golden Prince was simply unwilling to stoop to that level of depravity and mindless violence. Instead, he chose to die as he lived... with flawless honour and unmatched courage.

How did you get interested in Hindu mythology?

I suppose I inherited it from my grandmothers who loved these stories and shared them with me. Of course, I could not get enough and grew up on a steady diet of Amar Chitra Katha. My tastes diversified over the years but the love for mythology remained.

Do mythologies in other cultures appeal to you? Would you like to write about those someday?

Definitely! I adore Greek and Roman mythology and can happily devote days to reading books on the subject. For those looking for an introduction to this dense and beautiful world, I recommend Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. Norse mythology, the Song of Roland, Egyptian mythology, Arabian Nights… are also very close to my heart. Someday, I hope to write a book on one or more of these characters.

Who is your favourite character from mythology and why?

Arjuna, for obvious reasons. And Krishna, as well. In fact, Abhimanyu is dedicated to this duo who are my perennial favourites.

What are your tips for aspiring writers?

It is challenging to hunker down and write but that is all you need to do. It is actually that simple. And just as difficult to actually do! Also, make the time to read and write. It takes commitment, effort and discipline but the rewards are many for those who keep at it without getting unduly discouraged.

What challenges did you face in getting your first book published?

Rejection is extremely hard to take. Your book, especially the first one means the world to you and yet, the world at large could not care less. At least it feels that way and it can be hard to wrap your head around that but it is important to be practical about these things. There is no point in nursing a fragile ego when you are better off being a hard-boiled egg that can bounce back up no matter how hard the fall is.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I keep myself busy with Bharatanatyam classes and performances. There are few things to match the high of a live performance and I am really grateful to have music and dance in my life. I also make time for a little yoga and cardio every day.

In the interest of honesty, I must add that I also spend more time than I care to admit binge-watching shows on OTT platforms and whining about household chores which I am constantly trying to shirk without feeling too guilty about it.

One book that you wish you had written and why?

It is the one I wish I had written already. The one that either wins the Booker or makes me a gazillion bucks or both!