Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

By Mrs. Hemangi H. Kulkarni Asst. Professor, E & Tc Dept., GES R.H. Sapat College of Engineering Management Studies & Research

The book presents revolutionary retelling of mythology which is one of the world’s greatest epics and also a tragic love story: The Ramayana. The author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni places Sita at the center of the novel. Since my childhood I always thought about Sita’s feelings for all the happenings in Ramayana. Fortunate to read transformation of the ancient epic Ramayana into a powerful meditation on being human, exploring the nature of love and the inevitability of suffering. It reminds readers that beyond the moral teaching, Ramayana represents complexities in human relationships. Through Sita’s eyes, it offers fresh insights into one of world literature’s most enduring stories. This book seems to be ‘Sitayan’ presenting experiences, feelings and challenges of being woman in male dominated society. This gives new dimension to many characters in Ramayana.

The book also focuses on human story of some of the other women often misunderstood and relegated to the margins in Sita’s voice: Kaikeyi, Shurpanakha and Mandodari each of whom emerges as a complex individual with her own motivations and struggles. A powerful comment on duty, betrayal, infidelity and honour, it is also about women’s struggle to retain autonomy in a world that privileges men, as author transforms an ancient story into a gripping, contemporary battle of Wills. While the Ramayana resonates even today, author is successful in making it more relevant than ever: how should women be treated by their loved ones? What are their rights in a relationship? When does a woman need to stand up and say, ‘enough!’.

Author tackles latest issues like MeToo movement, single motherhood, and victim shaming through the lens of this ancient story, demonstrating how timeless these issues truly are. Beyond being a mere narrative, it becomes a philosophical exploration where every action, good or bad, stems from love and its shades – joy, passion, possession, and sacrifice. Through Sita’s journey, we see how love can be both liberating and constraining, both a source of strength and a cause of suffering. The ultimate truth is “Everything you love, you will lose one day!”

“The Forest of Enchantments” succeeds in making an ancient epic personally relevant to modern readers. It helps readers understand the law of karma and how our actions, even unknowing ones, create ripples of consequence. More importantly, it reminds us that even the most familiar stories can reveal new truths when viewed from a different perspective.

This novel is worth reading for anyone who appreciates stories that explore the complexity of human relationships and the eternal struggle between duty and desire, tradition and personal truth. It proves that ancient epics can speak powerfully to contemporary concerns while maintaining their timeless appeal.