Lakshmi Pamuntjak's refreshingly
beautiful Amba - The Question of Red is the story of Amba and Bhishma, with the
Communist insurgencies of Indonesia post-independence in the background. The
protagonists, named after the Hindu epic Mahabharata characters, are inspired
from the actual characters of the epic themselves, and so is their love-fate. Amidst
violence, riots, and death threats, the blooming of Amba and Bhishma's profound
love story, layer by layer, emotion post emotion, is paced yet believable.
The Mahabharata is widely read in
the South Asian countries, and several folk tales have thus been told over the
years. One of these folk tales quite popular in the Java islands is the
forbidden love story of Amba, the princess of Kashi, and Bhishma, the celibate
son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga.
According to the Mahabharata,
Bhisma abducted Amba and her two younger sisters, Ambika and Ambalika to wed
them to his step-brother Vichitravirya. After learning that Amba was in love
with King Salva of Saubala, Bhishma apologizes to her and respectfully drives
her to her betrothed. Salva though, embarrassed of being unable to protect Amba,
humiliates and rejects her. Dejected, Amba pleads Bhisma to marry her since no
Kshatriya King would marry her now. But having taken the oath of celibacy,
Bhishma rejects her proposal as well, leaving Amba with a burning desire for
revenge.
It is a popular folk-tale in
Indonesia that during the entire chaos, Bhishma and Amba fell in love with each
other, and given their situation, their love story remained incomplete and full
of pain.
Lakshmi Pamuntjak's Amba Kinanti,
Bhishma Rashad, and Salwani Munir's lives face the similar fates as of their
mythological namesakes. The author has brilliantly put forward their emotions
in the time of the violent tumult going on in their country. The war between
love and duty, the sacrifices that have to be made, and the betrayal along the
way have been given quite an emotional touch by the author.
Why you should read Amba: Despite
a lot of riots happening in the framework, the story doesn't lose its touch.
It is heartbreakingly soothing at times. Character development is the USP of
the book. It is an intense read undoubtedly, but the theme and execution by the
budding Indonesian female author is quite promising. And the cover is so
temptingly beautiful, the book will definitely add gleam to your bookshelf.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5
stars.
Title: Amba
- The Question of Red
Author:
Lakshmi Pamuntjak
Genre:
Romance, Historic fiction
Publisher: Speaking Tiger
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