The term ‘wonderful’ doesn't do complete justice to define the Indian epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat. Suffice to say that their TV adaptations achieved what every producer and actor yearns for: bringing the entire country to a standstill by their performances. On my part, I was fascinated by the character of Shikhandi in Mahabharat.
In the epic, the elder sibling of Draupadi is a reincarnation of Amba, whose life was irrevocably ruined because of the virtuous Bheeshma’s actions. What sets Shikhandi apart is the gender. Most iterations say he was born a female, and later became either a man or a eunuch, thus becoming one of the very earliest trans characters we know. Some other versions say that she remains a female and fights in the Kurukshetra war. In whichever way you see it, it is a very interesting character.
I was, therefore, very excited when I got my hands on Shikhandini: Warrior Princess of the Mahabharata by debutant author Ashwini Shenoy. The story begins with the birth of Panchala princess Shikhandini, soon followed by the main players in the Mahabharat, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Soon, the first run-in between Shikhandini and the Kauravas-Pandavas occurs, which results in the former being defeated and banishing herself. On her return, she finds out that she has two new siblings Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna, whose origin is shrouded in mystery. From here on, everyone can be sure that this will not end on a good note.
For a beginner, Shenoy has done a good job. However, typos like abrupt shifting between the names Shikhandini and Shikhandi, even when the former is still a biological female, and a few grammatical and spelling errors stick out like sore thumbs. Also, ‘real-lifing’ of some elements like birth of hundred Kauravas at once, and further expansion of the character would have elevated the narrative to another level. But there is promise in Shikhandini – Warrior Princess of the Mahabharata, if you are a mythological fiction buff.
