Some five years back, I had written a brief criticism about Radha (राधा), a popular Nepali novel written by Krishna Dharabasi. Here is an excerpt. In case you are planning to read the book, you might want to go through it.
The author rose to fame after this book received the prestigious Madan Prize for 2062 BS (2005 AD).
The novel is about Radha, the famous lady character from Mahabharat. All we know about her is that she was the childhood sweetheart of Krishna (not to be confused with the the author’s name). Although she is mentioned alongside Krishna in many religious texts, very few (none, in fact) is written about her adulthood. Dharabasi presents an imaginary story of her life during her romance with Krishna during younger days and after their (probable) separation.
Throughout the novel, Radha is presented as a heroine full of colorful characters.
The writer describes the events of Mahabharat in a realistic approach, which otherwise are narrated in fantasy-filled, omnipotent, and preternatural ways in other books and movies.
I found this book on the whole feminist. It has all the support for Radha and other girls Krishna has seduced. Krishna is criticized and booed many times for his stubbornness and for the Casanova that he is. The book, on the whole, sends a positive message to the modern society and is sympathetic women.
Dharabasi’s writing approach in writing is worth praising. He has dared to humanize the characters of Mahabharat, be it Krishna or Radha or Balaram or even Kansha. Throughout the book, there are several smiling-moments in praise for the author.
However, the standard of the language is comparatively poor for a writer of his like. There are many grammatically unsound sentences. It also lacks uniformity in narration. At one instant, the author describes each and every conversation and suddenly he skips many events in just a matter of sentences. This gives the impression that this book was brought to publication in haste, without a proper proofreading.
The edition I read was 261 page long. If reviewed strictly, it could have been shortened to well less than 200 pages. Maybe I am exaggerating, but you are sure to find the book verbose. The same sentiment is repeated in different places. Mainly, it is about the same argument on feminism that the readers are burdened with reading again and over again. Also, he uses the same/similar sentences to lambaste Krishna for his profligacy.
I read this book as fiction. However, a sage is introduced as Aswasthama, the immortal son of Drona, who has lived through these 5,000 years. While this adds some romance and imagination to the story, the author loses credibility for all his effort in portraying Mahabharat characters and events in a realistic manner.
Many critics enjoy comparing it with Madhavi, another Madan Prize winning novel, which is written by Madan Mani Dixit. This comparison is usually made with the fact that both books are based on pre-historic stories and both are milestones in Nepali literature. But oops, if Madhavi is Mt Everest, Radha no taller than Swayambhu ko dada.
A nice read though.
