Rediscovering Ravana: A legend reimagined

Books
By Editor_1

In the vast tapestry of mythology, few figures are as polarizing as Ravana—the mighty king of Lanka, the learned scholar, the fearsome adversary of Rama. For centuries, the Ramayana has painted him as a demonic figure, a symbol of arrogance and evil. But what if there is more to his story? What if Ravana was not merely a villain, but a complex ruler shaped by the tides of history, ambition, and destiny?

Author Nalin Goonewardene , whose own life reads like an adventure

Nalin Goonewardene’s The Legend of Ravana offers a bold and imaginative retelling of this enigmatic figure, peeling back the layers of myth to reveal a man of flesh, blood, and profound contradictions. Set in a prehistoric era (circa 3500–3000 BCE), this novel is not another version of the Ramayana but an entirely fresh exploration, one that delves into Ravana’s ancestry, his rise to power, and the forces that forged him into the legendary king history remembers.

Most retellings of Ravana’s life begin and end with his clash against Rama. But Goonewardene takes us further back, thousands of years before Ravana’s birth, to uncover the origins of his extraordinary abilities, his kingdom, and the people who shaped his destiny. Unlike Valmiki’s version, where divine boons explain Ravana’s prowess, this narrative grounds his strengths in a forgotten civilization’s advanced knowledge, blending mythology with speculative fiction.

The novel is structured in ten gripping parts, each unveiling a new dimension of Ravana’s world from his ancestors’ struggles to his passionate love for Mandodari, from his ascension to Lanka’s throne to the events leading to his fateful encounter with Rama. The storytelling is immersive, transporting readers into a vividly imagined past where myth and history intertwine.

The book has already captivated readers across generations. A young reviewer praised it as “thrilling and electrifying… a magical world of mythological science fiction,” while a business consultant from Bangalore commended its “nuanced portrait of a legendary king”.

Geetha P,  from Bangalore, wrote: “Nalin Goonewardene masterfully humanizes King Ravana and relates his struggles to protect his family and values. This book is a must-read for those interested in mythology, history, or the human experience.”

A product of Richmond College, Galle, Royal College and Aquinas College of Higher Studies, Colombo, Goonewardene’s own life reads like an adventure – from his early days as a competitive motorcycle racer and amateur musician to his pioneering career in the IT industry across Europe, the USA, and Asia.

Retirement brought him back to Sri Lanka, where a chance encounter with musician Harsha Markalande’s unrealized project, ‘Ravana’s Dream’, sparked his fascination with the legendary king.

Years of research followed, exploring ancient texts, travelling through India, and piecing together fragments of a story lost to time. The result is a novel that balances scholarly curiosity with the pulse of a gripping saga, breathing new life into a character often reduced to a mere antagonist.

Adding depth to the narrative are the stunning illustrations by NeoCartouche,  a UK-based design studio and multidisciplinary arts practice run by Goonewardene’s daughter Karen. Each artwork reflects the essence of the story’s key moments, enhancing the reader’s journey through Ravana’s world.

The Legend of Ravana is more than a retelling. It is a reclamation. It challenges us to reconsider history’s so-called villains, to see them as products of their time, their choices, and the legacies they inherited. In an era where myths are often weaponized, Goonewardene’s work serves as a reminder that even the most maligned figures deserve a second look.

For lovers of mythology, historical fiction, or simply a tale well told, this book is a revelation. It invites us to step beyond the black-and-white morality of ancient epics and embrace the shades of grey that make legends and humanity so compelling.

The Legend of Ravana is now available at leading local bookshops, ready to transport you to a forgotten age where gods walked among men, kingdoms rose and fell, and one king’s name would echo through millennia.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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