The story of the Ramayana has been told countless times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the King of Wrath, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell?
Asura is the epic narrative of the vanquished Asura people, a story cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for over 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell this tale. But perhaps the time has come for the defeated to speak:
“For thousands of years, I have been vilified, and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I sought to free a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor’s tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.”
The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look to a young saviour: Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana’s leadership, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader into war. With iron will and fiery ambition, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory, carving out a vast empire from the Devas. But even in triumph, the poor Asuras find that little has changed for them. But perhaps there is hope yet—but can Ravana change the course of history forever?
Who is this for?
Asura is a great choice for fans of mythological bestsellers like The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments, and the Ramayana in English. It is also a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, mythological fiction books, spiritual books, and historical fiction books. For those who enjoy religious books and mythological books like The Ram Chandra Series by Amish Tripathi, including Scion of Ikshvaku, Sita: Warrior of Mithila, Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta, and War of Lanka, this novel provides a compelling addition to your collection.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings book set and The Way of Kings will also appreciate the epic storytelling and complex characters found in Asura. Whether you are interested in fiction books, bestsellers English or exploring the Ramayana book from a new perspective, Asura is an essential addition to your library.
About the Author
Anand Neelakantan is a distinguished Indian author celebrated for his unique contributions to mythological fiction. Born in Kerala, Neelakantan’s early fascination with storytelling and ancient epics led to his debut novel, Asura: Tale of the Vanquished. Published in 2012, this novel became an instant bestseller, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the Ramayana from the viewpoint of Ravana, the demon King of Wrath.
His subsequent works, including the Ajaya series which retells the Mahabharata from the viewpoint of the Kauravas, also banks on his ability to delve deeply into the complexities of characters traditionally seen as antagonists, which in turn has earned him a loyal readership globally.
Among his other notable works is the Baahubali trilogy, a prequel to S.S. Rajamouli’s blockbuster movie. The first book in the series, The Rise of Sivagami, released on 15 March 2017, continues to be a number one bestseller across charts and was on Amazon’s list of top five bestsellers for 2017. Excitingly, S.S. Rajamouli has announced a mini-series based on Neelakantan’s books, which will be made along the lines of Game of Thrones.
Neelakantan’s talent is not confined to novels. He is also a prolific scriptwriter, contributing to popular Indian television series like Siya Ke Ram, Ashoka, and Mahabali Hanuman. His columns in prestigious publications such as The Hindu, Indian Express, Pioneer, and Washington Post further highlight his versatility and command over contemporary issues. His bi-weekly column “Acute Angle” in Sunday Express is particularly popular among readers.
In addition to his novels and screenwriting, Neelakantan is an accomplished cartoonist and writer in Malayalam, contributing regularly to leading Malayalam magazines. His multifaceted career reflects his deep understanding of Indian culture and mythology, making his works essential reading for anyone interested in these subjects. He has upcoming series planned with Discovery, Star TV, Netflix, and Amazon.
Anand Neelakantan’s works, including Asura, have been widely acclaimed and are among the best fiction books by Indian authors. For enthusiasts of Indian mythology, historical fiction, and bestselling novels, or if you enjoyed titles such as Shiva Trilogy, The Immortals of Meluha, or Ram – Scion Of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi, Raavan Amish Tripathi, Chanakya’s Chant or The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi, and The Palace of Illusions or The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, or any Kevin Missal books you will find his novels equally if not more captivating.
If you are looking for your next indian mythological novel, choose from one of Neelakantan’s many acclaimed titles:
AJAYA: Epic of the Kaurava Clan (Roll of the Dice Book 1)
AJAYA: Rise of Kali (Roll of the Dice Book 2)
Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva and Tara
Valmiki’s Women: Five Tales From The Ramayana
The Asura Way: The Contrarian Path to Success
Nala Damayanti: An Eternal Tale from the Mahabharata
The Rise of Sivagami (Báhubali: Before the Beginning – Book 1)
Chaturanga (Báhubali: Before the Beginning – Book 2)
Queen of Mahishmathi (Báhubali: Before the Beginning – Book 3)
Neelakantan lives in Mumbai with his wife Aparna, daughter Ananya, son Abhinav, and their pet dog, Jackie the Blackie. His personal experiences and background in engineering bring a unique analytical approach to his storytelling, blending meticulous research with creative imagination.
Connect with Anand Neelakantan on social media at @itsanandneel for the latest updates on his projects and insights into his writing journey.
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