Kavita Kane
Indian author Kavita Kane published her first mythological fiction novel in 2013. Her novels are a blend of Hindu religious stories and her creative imagination. She gives her novels a feminist perspective and drama that makes them bestsellers. Let’s take a closer look.
List of Seven Books by Author Kavita Kane
Kavita’s writing career began as a journalist. Her debut novel, ”Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen” became a huge hit with readers. Soon, Kavita adopted writing as a full-time career.
Kavita Kane’s bestselling books are:
- Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen
- Sita’s Sister
- Menaka’s Choice
- Lanka’s Princess
- The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty
- Ahalya’s Awakening
- Saraswati’s Gift
Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen
- Title: Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen
- Publisher: Rupa Publications
- Year of Publication: 2013
- Pages: 318
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4.5 out of 5
This story picks up a slice of Mahabharata, the epic tale of fighting good and evil, justice and injustice, Kaurava and Pandavas. Kavita Kane, the author, narrates the poignant story of the unsung hero Karna through the eyes of his lesser-known wife, Uruvi.
Written in the genre of magical realism the book reflects various aspects of Karna`s nature. Karna has unquestionable loyalty towards Duryodhana who in turn has unconditional love for Karna.
The ghosts of Karna’s past and the mystery surrounding his birth are some of the themes that Kavita Kane has explored in this tale.
Caught between the social implications of her refusal to obey Karna and her endeavours to gain respect and love from her husband, Urvi`s struggles as the outcast`s queen have been explored.
The main idea of this story is to show Uruvi’s perspective as she fights her demons and stands firm by her husband`s side, supporting Karna through all his misfortunes and struggles.
The screen adaptation of the book in an Indian television series called Karna Sangini gave Kavita Kane’s novel wider coverage.
Sita’s Sister
- Title: Sita’s Sister
- Publisher: Rupa Publications
- Year of Publication: 2014
- Pages: 320
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Urmilla is one of the most overlooked characters in the Ramayana, she is Sita`s sister and the neglected wife of Lakshman.
This story will captivate you with the life of Urmila, Sita’s sister. You may have read about Sita’s difficult life journey in the Ramayana, but Urmila’s story remains untold.
Also read: 9 Indian Female Authors In English Fiction
The tears and the tragedy of Urmilla, a woman of immense strength and conviction stand apart. Urmila, whose husband, Lakshman, accompanied his brother Ram to the forest rather than stay with his bride.
She could have insisted on joining Lakshman, as did Sita with Ram. Why did she agree to be left behind in the palace, waiting for her husband for fourteen painfully long years?
Menaka’s Choice
- Title: Menaka’s Choice
- Publisher: Rupa Publications
- Year of Publication: 2015
- Pages: 304
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Menaka, the most beautiful of all the apsaras in the world, was born with brains and talent. Meanwhile, the great sage Vishwamitra defies the gods and challenges them to create another heaven.
The king of gods, Indra is threatened by Vishwamitra. As an effect of this, Indra decides to put a stop to Vishwamitra’s rising desires and powers by sending Menaka to seduce him.
Also read: How Does Audible Work in Amazon?
What happens when Menaka meets up with Vishwamitra? This book describes all the beauty of Menaka and Vishwamitra.
It not only details her love but also about a woman fighting for her dreams in this male-dominated society.
Lanka’s Princess
- Title: Lanka’s Princess
- Publisher: Rupa Publication
- Year of Publication: 2022
- Pages: 336
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4 out of 5
Delving into the epic Ramayana, this book brings Surpanakha, Ravana`s sister, into the spotlight. This story shows us a different side of Surpanakha’s character.
Also read: Unveil Indian History with Vikram Sampath
Surpanaka is the one whose nose was sliced off by an angry Lakshman and the one who started the war. But was she just a perpetrator of war?
The quick-tempered demoness, Surpanakha, which means the woman `as hard as nails`, was born Meenakshi, the one with beautiful, fish-shaped eyes.
Accused of manipulating events between Ram and Ravan, which culminated in a bloody war and the annihilation of her family.
Kavita Kane’s “Lanka’s Princess” makes us see the familiar events unfold through the eyes of a woman more hated than she deserves to be.
The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty
- Title: The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty
- Publisher: Rupa Publication
- Year of Publication: 2022
- Pages: 336
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4 out of 5
The book starts with the scene of Bhishm lying on his bed of arrows, contemplating his life and mistakes.
Rest of the story is a flashback of Bhishm’s life till Satyavati chooses to leave Hastinapur.
The story of Satyavati, Devvrat/Bhishm and Shantanu is famous. Even then, did you think of Satyavati’s perspective and how she shaped the future of Hastinapur?
You will find the progress of Shantanu and Satyavati’s relationship and the high drama of their relationship are in Kavita Kane’s book.
Also read: Kevin Missal and the Kalki Series
Abandoned as a baby and chased by a saint, Satyavati hardens her heart and insists that the next time she is with a man she will win and she wins.
She promises to own the throne of Hastinapur and make her sons the heirs of her kingdom. But how much does it cost?
Satyavati puts aside her pain and loss caused by the despise she receives in the palace, to play her game of politics.
All these circumstances influence Satyavati to be ruthless, a trait that sets her apart from everyone around her.
Ahalya’s Awakening
- Title: Ahalya’s Awakening
- Publisher: Rupa Publications
- Pages: 360
- Year of Publication: 2022
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4.5 out of 5
The story takes off from Ahalya’s infancy, right up to the point where she blossoms into her extraordinary beauty and intelligence, after a childhood spent under the wings of sages Vashisht and Bharadwaj.
She was the most beautiful woman in the world but married the much older sage Gautama. Kavita Kane reimagines and retells the well-known story of Ahalya.
Ahalya turned to stone when her husband cursed her for infidelity.
As a stone, Ahalya remains completely invisible until one day, Lord Ram’s foot touches the stone and reveals to the world her radiance.
She is a silent spectator of her troubles, yet, her persona has multiple layers.
Kane’s sixth book sketches the lives of mythological characters that play their part on the fringes of a significant story. But Ahalya’s silent struggles epitomise extraordinary strength and resilience.
Sarasvati’s Gift
- Title: Sarasvati’s Gift
- Publisher: Penguin
- Year of Publication: 2021
- Pages: 288
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Stars: 4 out of 5
Known as the goddess of art, music, culture and knowledge, Sarasvati is worshipped in every Hindu household. She is worshipped during Diwali along with goddess Laxmi and lord Ganapati. There are daily prayers, mantras and shlokas to appease the goddess Sarasvati, which people recite daily.
Moreover, Sarasvati is also the name of a lost river. In Sarasvati`s Gift, Kavita Kane brings to light Sarasvati’s story, retold in the narratives of various celestials, powerful gods and faceless mortals.
Also read: Best Books of Sudha Murthy for Adults and Teenagers
Kavita Kane talks about the relationship between the goddess Sarasvati and Lord Brahma. She is a lesser-known goddess and for this reason, Kavita Kane researched and wrote this book.
Like her other books, this novel also has dialogues, emotions, and drama that lends several fictional elements. It is a reimagining and retelling of the religious stories through Kavita’s imagination.
Biography of Kavita Kane (Born 1966, Mumbai)
Kavita Kane is an Indian author famous for Mythological fiction. Apart from writing books, Kavita is also a columnist, a caring and fun-loving mother, a devoted wife, a pet parent, a sister, an ardent film fanatic and a motivational speaker.
Also read: Anand Neelekantan mythology inspired books
Her books are based on Indian Hindu religious stories, yet dialogues, descriptions and dramatization give it an element of fiction. Though all her books are equally good, her bestselling novel is Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen’.
Indian author, Kavita Kane is a former journalist, known prominently for her works in mythology fiction. She grewup in Pune, Delhi and Patna, surrounded by books.
- Kavita completed post-graduate studies in English Literature and Mass Communication at Pune.
- Initially, she desired to join the administrative services but took journalism because of her passion for writing.
- For 20 years, Kavita worked in various media houses.
- She worked at Magna Publications, Daily News and Analysis, and The Times of India among others.
- She lives with her hubby Prakash Kane, two daughters and her pets.
- Kavita likes to relax with hobbies including reading, watching cinema and theatre.
View Kavita Kane’s Instagram page.
Conclusion:
Kavita Kane is a brilliant Indian author who takes you on extraordinary adventures in her enchanting books.
The ex-journalists brilliant portrayal of lesser-known women in the epic brings the spice of additional feminist perspective to mythological literature.
In her books, Kavita Kane offers the feminine outlook of women from religious stories, whose lives have an impact due to the actions of prominent heroes and heroines.
Also read other articles
Best Jhumpa Lahiri’s books: 5 Must-reads of the Indian-American author