Vaishnavi Patel
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is loosely based on the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Patel refashions Kaikeyi, the youngest wife of King Dasharath, as a feminist heroine who advocates for equality for women and who willingly sacrifices herself and her reputation to prevent a war. She is portrayed as intelligent, astute, asexual, and determined to do what she thinks is right regardless of personal cost.
Kaikeyi’s first-person narrative begins with the story of her childhood as the daughter of King Ashwapati of Kekaya. The only girl among seven brothers, Kaikeyi learns to ride a horse, maneuver a war chariot, and wield a sword and bow. She marries King Dasharath of Kosala where her influence in the court increases after she saves the king’s life in battle. Along with her sister wives, Kaushalya and Sumitra, she forms the Women’s Council, a body that addresses grievances and advocates for greater freedom and rights for women.
All is going well until Dasharath decides to name Rama, his eldest son, as his heir. In a desperate attempt to avoid war, Kaikeyi exercises her right to the boons promised to her by Dasharath. She sends Rama into exile for ten years and has her son appointed as king. But things don’t turn out quite as she had hoped. Kaikeyi is castigated as a villainous step-mother by some and applauded as a hero by others.
Patel introduces several new elements into the Indian epic. She fills in the gaps of Kaikeyi’s life missing from the original, provides background, character development, and gives her a strong voice to challenge patriarchal norms. Probably the most significant addition is Kaikeyi’s magic—her ability to enter the Binding Plan which enables her to see the strength of her connections to others through the threads that link them together. She uses this ability to gauge her influence. Other changes in the re-telling include her portrayal of Rama as manipulative, power-hungry, and chauvinistic; and Ravana as a somewhat sympathetic character who mourns for his dead wife and who wants to protect his daughter, Sita.
The narrative immerses the reader in the culture and mythology of India with its plethora of gods and goddesses, asuras, and rakshasas. The retelling is engaging, imaginative, and immersive. Patel weaves a good story and tells it well. Readers who are familiar with the epic may be disturbed by the liberties Patel takes in deviating from the original source and in her transformation of its characters. But it is important to keep in mind that as an author, it is within her prerogative to re-imagine the tale as she fit.
The novel does not claim to be other than what it is: Vaishnavi Patel’s vision of the story of Kaikeyi. Her vision makes for a good story and a rewarding read.
Recommended.