Review: Sita's Sister

Sita's Sister by Kavita Kané
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Indian mythology, and believe there are a lot of lessons to be learnt for life from mythology in general. Reading Joseph Campbell’s writings helped me get a more organized understanding of the role mythology plays in our lives – helping transcend the literal and leading us to the gates of the more profound truths.

I read Kavita Kane’s “Karna’s Wife” and really liked it for its imaginative storytelling using the larger framework of the Mahabharata, and a strong character in Uruvi. Similarly, “Sita’s Sister” develops the character of Urmila, Lakshman’s wife exceptionally well.

The story starts with a brief background of the four sisters – Sita, Urmila and their cousins Mandavi and Kriti. The story moves on to the Swayamvar for Sita which Ram wins; and the subsequent marriages of the four sisters to the four brothers. The story largely follows the mainline version for most of the book with Kaikeyi stepping in and seeking two boons from King Dasharatha - her son Bharat to be crowned the King, and Ram being banished to exile in the forests for 14 years. As Sita, and Lakshman decide to accompany Ram, Urmila’s life comes apart. She is in deep turmoil as Lakshman advises against her following him. Sita, while in exile, is still at peace with herself unlike the other sisters. With Bharat also deciding to rule from a distance on behalf of Ram, Mandavi feels frustrated as well.

Since the storytelling is from Urmila’s perspective, there is only scant coverage of Sita’s abduction and the war with Raavan. The most important aspects are weaved into the story though. The inner thinking & motivations of all the central characters are explored very well. There is a fairly big twist towards the end as compared to the mainline versions and it fits in well and naturally.

This is a very well written story from Urmila’s perspective and strongly recommended if Indian mythology interests you.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.


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