Modern Echo of the Epic

Kamalika_Reads 40

Book: MahaJaya

Author: Alpna Das Sharma

Publishers: Viswakarma publications

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Rating: 4/5

How I came to know about this book:

I had known about the author from common whatsapp groups as both of us are represented by same literary agency and so, when the book came out, it was on my TBR list. This book was also offered on kindle during an online promotion by Authoropod e-book carnival on Independence day 2025 and that time, I too grabbed the offer.

What the book is about :

Mahajaya is an ambitious and imaginative re-envisioning of the Mahabharata, set not on ancient battlegrounds but amid the intense dust and drama of a Delhi University kabaddi tournament. Alpana Das Sharma brings together Yaj, Bhav, Aryan, Neil, Sehajveer, and Dwija, a modern-day reflection of the Pandavas and Draupadi facing off against a rival team that carries the echoes of their mythological antagonists. Add Kannan and Kaizad to the mix, and the stage is set for a compelling, high-stakes showdown.

What I loved about the book :

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is how it mirrors the Mahabharata without being enslaved by it. The setting, tone, and texture are fresh, but the emotional and archetypal undercurrents feel instantly familiar. Each protagonist is etched with care, and their arcs feel purposeful and alive.

The author also excels at weaving together diverse student backgrounds to create rich subplots that feed into the main narrative. These layers, filled with personal histories and socio-cultural nuances, lend authenticity and emotional weight to the story. The campus feels lived-in; the conflicts feel real.

What I felt could have been better :

However, the narrative occasionally overreaches. The book attempts to tackle almost every social issue imaginable: gender discrimination, patriarchy, female foeticide, honour killing, substance abuse, religious intolerance, Kargil memories, Kashmir politics, racial prejudice against North Eastern students, human trafficking, LGBTQ+ discrimination, bullying… the list is long. For the word count, this feels overwhelming, and at times the emotional impact gets diluted simply because there’s too much to absorb.

I also found myself wanting more from the rival kabaddi team, who appear only briefly and deliver just a handful of bullying lines. Given their importance in shaping the tension, a little more development would have made the conflict sharper.

Why one should read or not read this book:

Mahajaya is a brave and beautiful attempt at bringing a beloved epic into a contemporary setting. It reinvents without disrespecting and resonates without repeating. Kudos to Alpana Das Sharma for reimagining a story we’ve heard countless times and giving it a fresh, youthful pulse. Readers may also read it for the fact that it tweaks with the incidences of Mahabharata where we have always felt ,'Wish it was different..' and makes our thoughts come true.

Grab a copy of the book at : https://amzn.in/d/cZkX5gs

Who is your favourite character from Mahabharata, other than Sri Krishna? Donot forget to mention.