Jai Shri Ram / जय श्री राम  (Hindi, Paperback, Satyen Srivastava 'valmiki')

This novel presents Ram’s exile in a new context. The book starts with King Dashrath’s announcement of anointing his eldest son Prince Ram as his heir to the throne and then takes its course through many upheavals and finally culminates in Ravan's killing. The book has been written with a perspective of mortality and that everyone who takes birth on this planet is a human being and not God. The storyline is a departure from the mundane and author has taken the liberty to put in his imagination to weave a riveting tale while sticking to the original plot of Ramayan. The interpretation part has been presented in a narrative so that the contemporary reader may find it appealing. Author has tried to analyse the available information with careful reasoning. This tale of Ram's exile has been built around the political milieu of the time, with the purposeful intent of bringing out the flavor of the era. The story takes the reader through Ram's journeys, his relationships & exchanges with forest folks and sages, his ability to forge bonds and make friends, as also sneak a peep inside his valour and bravery. The book also exhibits various characters of Ramayan to provoke the reading audience to sit-up and think 'out-of-the-box', to use the oft-repeated cliche. This novel is worth reading for sure.