Venmurasu

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Venmurasu
Mudharkkanal Venmurasu.jpg
Venmurasu, a 26-volume Tamil retelling of the Mahābhārata by Bahuleyan Jeyamohan.
Author Bahuleyan Jeyamohan
Original titleVenmurasu
IllustratorShanmugavel
Language Tamil
GenreIndian Magic Realism or Puranic realism [1]
PublisherNatrinai Pathippagam Kizhakku Pathippagam
Publication date
2014
Publication place India
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages22,400

Venmurasu (Tamil: வெண்முரசு, Veṇmurasu; transl. "The White Drum") is a Tamil-language novel by Bahuleyan Jeyamohan. It is a modern retelling of the Indian epic poem, the Mahābhārata. Consisting of 26 volumes and spanning approximately 22,400 pages, Venmurasu is one of the longest novels ever published. [2] Jeyamohan began writing this novel in January 2014 and completed it in July 2020.

Contents

The novel follows a linear narrative style similar to that of the Mahābhārata . It has been published in hardcover and paperback.

Background

In a 2015 interview with CMR Tamil, author B. Jeyamohan cited the Kathakali renditions of the Mahābhārata as his main source of influence for Venmurasu. This inspiration featured the Kathakali portrayals of characters such as Duryodhana and Karna, which Jeyamohan stated shaped his childhood. [3] [4] The Bhagavad Gita also influenced his worldview.

He began writing Venmurasu in January 2014 after a conversation with his daughter. He uploaded a chapter online every day throughout the writing process.

Style

Jeyamohan has described Venmurasu as a modern novel based on the Mahābhārata . While the epic’s framework guides the storyline, it incorporates modern literary techniques such as nested narratives, intertextuality, and fantasy elements. Jeyamohan refers to this stylistic approach as Puranic Realism. [1]

Drawing from sources including the Srimad Bhagavata, the Devi Bhagavata, and folk traditions, Venmurasu interweaves myths and legends from diverse Indian traditions. The novel has been compared to classical works like The Odyssey , The Iliad , and Kamba Ramayana . [5]

Although Venmurasu roughly follows the linear structure of the Mahābhārata, its individual episodes are often non-linear. The novel frequently employs Sūtas, traditional traveling bards, to recount stories. The work is structured as a series of interconnected books, each with its own storyline, including: Mudharkanal, Mazhaippadal, Vannakkadal, Neelam, Prayagai, Venmugil Nagaram, Indraneelam, Kaandepam, Veiyon, Panniru Padaikkalam, Solvalarkaadu, Kiratham, Maalamalar, Neerkkolam, EzhuThazhal, Kuruthicharal, Imaikkanam, Senna Vengai, Thisaither Vellam, Kaarkadal, Irutkani, Theein Edai, Neerchudar, Kalittriyaanai Nirai, Kalporusirunurai, and Muthalaavin.

Volumes

Venmurasu's volumes are listed below:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Venmurasu - Puranic Realism". Jeyamohan.in. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Miller, Nick (25 January 2023). "The Biggest Book in the World". Discovery UK. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "Jeyamohan Interview, 12-July-2015". Youtube.com. Canada Multicultural Radio, 101.3 FM. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Shankarramasubramanian (6 September 2014). "Interview: Writer Jeyamohan". tamil.thehindu.com. The Hindu. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  5. ↑ தயாநிதி, வேணுகோபால் (24 October 2021). "வெண்முரசு பிள்ளைத்தமிழ்". சொல்வனம் (in Tamil). Retrieved 21 November 2024.
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