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| CULTURE & SOCIETY |
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BOOK REVIEW |
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The legend lives on in Anurag Anand’s prose
By Namita Singh
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The Legend of Amrapali
By Anurag Anand
Srishti Publishers
212 pp; Rs 200 |
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ANURAG, A banking professional hailing from the city of Mumbai, on the launch of his fourth book described it as a gripping cocktail of fantasy, fiction, fable and history that retains its charismatic appeal through the centuries gone by.
‘The Legend of Amrapali’ is the story of mayhem and turmoil brought about by the obstinate desires of one man – a man blinded by the intoxication of power. It is a story of sinister plots and political wizardry, of chaste love and unbridled passion, of naked ambitions and dogged loyalties that lead to the transformation of an innocent young girl into one of the most revered, even worshipped, and occasionally feared personalities of her times, described Anand.
Anurag, who was brought up in the capital, was glad, as this was the first time he had a book release in Delhi with his parents in attendance in what he called one of the most important days of his life. His parents were visibly proud, enjoying every bit of their son’s success.
“Amrapali’s life is an inspiration for the women of today and it is great to see her story being retold in a fashion that is likely to find favour with current-day readers,” said model Indrani Dasgupta while expressing her fascination for the lead character of the book.
Model Sonalika Sahay, better known as the face of Christian Dior watches in India, who hails from Hazaribagh in Bihar, where the legendary queen Amrapali once lived, said that she too had grown up amidst tales of the legend and was glad to be a part of the event.
The book launch was followed by a short interaction between audience and the panelists with main questions being addressed to the author himself and to Tharoor, himself a well-known author. On being asked about the ingredients of a successful author, Anand, with a modest smile, responded by listing two key points: observation and the ability to think freely without restraining the imagination.
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Indrani Dasgupta said that the life of Amrapali is an inspiration for women today |
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While Tharoor added that an author must write about things the readers would like to read, his wife Sunanda Pushkar complained about his tweeting, providing a lighter moment.
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