Subversion of the Grand Narrative about Asuras in Anand Neelakantan’s Asura: Tale of the Vanquished

Abstract

This research paper deals with the portrayal of the Asura and Deva civilisations in Anand Neealkantan’s novel Asura: Tale of the Vanquished. In the grand narrative of the Ramayana, which is popular throughout popular media and literature, the Asuras are considered barbaric people. The struggle between Asuras and Devas is generally perceived as a battle between good and evil. In this paper, Anand Neelakantan’s novel is studied for its portrayal of the Asura community as a counter-narrative to the popular grand narrative. The political conflict between Rama and Ravana is also perceived as the struggle between good and evil. In this novel, Anand Neelakantan counter-narrates the Asura civilisation in order to subvert the Grand narrative about them. By focusing on the progressive and timeless qualities of the Asura Empire, the novelist illuminates the suppressed history of the Asura civilisation. The novelist presents the Asura civilisation as more advanced, progressive, and liberal than the Deva civilisation. Asuras are described as a casteless society which is highly developed and democratic. The comparison of the two civilisations reveals hitherto undiscussed facts about them. This paper aims at a critical analysis of the two civilisations as depicted in the novel Asura: Tale of the Vanquished.