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The Evolution Of Kavita Kane From ‘Karna’s Wife’ to ‘Sita’s Sister’ As A Writer



I bought Karna’s Wife and Sita’s Sister authored by Kavita Kane together after completing my first mythological novel “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. As mentioned earlier the later one instigated my curiosity, which was subtly always present for our mythological tales.

A little about the author, because this review is in gratification for difference I could see in character sketch for the protagonist and other characters of both the stories. Kavita Kane is an ex-journalist who last worked as an Assistant Editor with Times of India, after which she decided to take up writing as her full-time career choice. Karna’s Wife; was her debut novel which published in 2013, went on to be rewarded as a bestseller. It’s about Karna’s second wife Uruvi and her love for Karna, and the retelling of Mahabharata from her perspective. Instantly following year, 2014 she released yet another mythological tale, this time it was Ramayana being retold through Urmila-Sita’s Sister’s perspective. She has gone on to write more mythological tales from other enigmatic female personality’s point of view. Though, here I will be expressing the difference I could see between her debut and second novel. I had some of my concerns raised in Karna’s Wife, even though I sardonically enjoyed the entire book.

When it comes to retelling of mythological tales, one thing my limited research has thought me is that, authors draw out a fictional picture around one ‘fact’ included in the original storyline of centuries ago. Thus, it being on the author to set the tone of their retelling, Sita’s Sister comes around as more progressive than Karna’s Wife. Chronological, Ramayana took place before Mahabharata, which is Ramayana happened during Treta Yug (second age), while the Mahabharata took place in Dvapara Yug(third age), so one would assume that the progressive mentality would expand as the eras proceed, but since, Karna’s Wife was launched first, we could assume the progressive slash more liberating tone of Sita’s Sister is courtesy to Kavita’s own maturing as a writer.

While, I find Kavita’s beginnings a little too predictable and clichéd, after reading two of her books, I can say she knows to bring a steady flow and more meaning to the story as the pages keep turning. Coming to speak on comparisons,

  • I was wonderfully satisfied with Urmila’s relationship depicted with both her mother and father. And how Queen Sunaina stands for strength and the respect & future of her daughters over the fears of the society, which lacked in case of Uruvi & her mother Queen Shubra. Queen Sunaina who herself an independent woman, asks for her daughter to stay strong and not succumb to wifely duties only.

  • Also to appreciate the well narration of the four daughters and their relationships with King Janak & Queen Sunaina and amongst each other. The absence of Daddy’s lil Girl narrative is something I am grateful for in Sita’s Sister because it succumbs down to the spoilt brat, which was kind of the case in Uruvi & King Vahusha’s relation. In fact, remonstrating Urmila & King Janak’s relationship as odd yet a positive relation is well appreciated.

  • The kingdom of Mithila praises and treats women as equal, the princesses and queen are involved and informed about the daily court-workings and are sought out for advice.

  • All the female characters are so well written in Sita’s Sister, their strengths and flaws not walking the general misogynistic or damsel-like characteristics which go way beyond their vanity. The female characters have a mind of their own, and the spotlight is routinely switched to everyone once in the story, be it Mandavi, Sita, Shukriti or Kaikeyi for that matter. The women are not pitched against each other, and are only mildly or fairly compared amongst each other, while keeping everyone in positive light. The storyline to Kaikeyi’s evilness is a surprise to unfold.

  • The clear disdain of King Dashrath’s three weddings by majority of characters in the story is a welcomed change to general nonchalance seen in mythological tales.

  • While Uruvi who was more of an imaginative character than reality, Urmila an actual personality of Ramayana both have been cutthroat, head strong characters who aren’t easily doused and will show the mirror to anyone who steps back from respecting women. The female characters of Sita’s Sister do not refrain themselves from questioning even the great philosophers & the male characters though lightly have conveyed amending their ways.

  • While Urmila’s optimistic but undeterred outspoken character deserves standing ovation, I truly appreciated Mandavi’s unapologetic demands for her wishes and rights.

  • Sita’s Sister also gives us snippets of personalities like Sage Gargi and Sage Sulabha. One of my favourite and best quotes from the book comes from Sage Sulabha, a scholar and a fiery intellectual.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend for everyone to read both the books, a female perspective to our bedtime stories is so much more refreshing than what I had known of both the tales till this day. Sita’s Sister gives us so many untold parts of Ramayana, gives life to the silent characters like Lakshman, who has always been there but never been truly discussed. Same is the case for so many characters from Mahabharata, in Karna’s Wife. Mythological tales often vary themselves from being sexually indulgent. But, Kavita has loosened her pen a little in drawing a romantic picture between the couples, which is more evident in the little routine pictured between Lakshman & Urmila. The romance takes on the intimacy road rather than of spirituality.


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