The Palace Of Illusions

The Palace Of Illusions By Chitra Banerjee DivaKaruni

India is rich with its own literature and knowledge. Chitra Banerjee has undoubtedly succeeded in penning down the story of Mahabharata with point of you of Draupadi. 'The palace of Illusions’ is written keeping Draupadi as a protagonist. 

The book gives strong evidence of feminist strength in ancient times with the description of characters like Panchali, shikhandi, kunti who were always side lined or neglected by male authors. The story give voice to female protagonist and enlights people with Draupadi’s view about Mahabharata. The palace of Illusions is narration of Mahabharata by Draupadi.

The character of Draupadi is always described as a KRITYA, a female who destroys her own clan but here chitra Banerjee has portrayed Draupadi as a human. The begins with Draupadi as a little girl who learns about her from fire. She leads readers towards her youth and her marriage with pandvas till the battle of kurukshetra.

The reveals the feminine virtues and strength of panchali as a practical woman, a loyal wife and friend to her five husbands, a courageous human who prefers to fight and face the danger than to run. Draupadi is more than above-mentioned. She sacrifices her love for Karna and becomes an ideal wife to all five husbands. Draupadi even after bearing all the humiliation does not abandon her husbands and supported them. The friendship between Draupadi and Krisha is beautifully depicted. Draupadi's love for Krisha was blind and devotional, and seen in many dialogues throughout the novel. The book gives the description of Draupadi and Krisha’s first encounter with each other and their ever lasting selfless friendship.

Chitra Banerjee takes readers to the social rules and regulations of that age. Draupadi could have married to Karna, but she married to Pandvas for they were Kshatriyas. Draupadi knew that she was going to be the reason for the end of Kauravas. Her rage and bitter statements for Duryodhan becomes the major issue for vandalism. Here Mahabharata is presented with a female's perspective which helps readers to uplift their emotional level. The writer has shown readers various layers of the same story with Draupadi’s eyes.

If you are a feminist and wish to dig more about it, this book can become your first pick. I have always loved Mahabharata as an epic but in this one of the best conversation between panchali and shikhandi is my favorite. Shikhandi who was the reincarnation of Amba retold the story of her past incarnation, and her oath to kill Bheeshma. Her soul purpose was to avenge her humiliation and lose of love in her previous birth due to Bheeshma. Shikhandi aims to kill Bheeshma wearing the garland given by The gods which no man ever think to do so. 

Thus, this book is epitome of feminist power and passion for love, revenge, loyalty, tolerance and humiliation. One of the wisest statement given by shikhandi to Draupadi was ‘' you wait for a man to avenge your dishonor and you will wait forever.” Shikhandi emerges as strongest and confident woman of her time who believes being independent to avenge her own dishonor and Injustice. Draupadi herself was not a vulnerable female. She could withstand enemies and ruined them. 

Chitra Banerjee with her simple diction yet attractive style has connected me with the feminine power and greatest female character of Hindu mythology in form of Draupadi in Mahabharata. We all feel reckless and hot headed with a view to be unique and self dependent like Panchali who wanted to gain fame. I loved this book and the story according to Draupadi’s view made me go through many ups down from beginning till the end. This can be one of the interesting novels to all the book warms. Give it a read, and you won’t regret it.