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Urmila
Recapturing the mythical journey of love and longing in contemporary India
Inspired by the story of Lakshman’s wife from Ramayana, Urmila traces a tale of rejection and a woman’s passionate search for love, rekindling questions of devotion and desire.
The talented and passionate Urmila Karmarkar has recently married into a wealthy, politically connected family in suburban Mumbai. When Urmila’s brother-in-law is compelled to move to Dubai, her husband leaves her behind and chooses to follow him instead. Fuelled by this rejection, Urmila seeks solace in her art as she battles to keep her dreams of love and motherhood alive, waiting for her husband to return
Inspired by the story of Lakshman’s wife from Ramayana, Urmila traces a tale of rejection and a woman’s passionate search for love, rekindling questions of devotion and desire.
The talented and passionate Urmila Karmarkar has recently married into a wealthy, politically connected family in suburban Mumbai. When Urmila’s brother-in-law is compelled to move to Dubai, her husband leaves her behind and chooses to follow him instead. Fuelled by this rejection, Urmila seeks solace in her art as she battles to keep her dreams of love and motherhood alive, waiting for her husband to return
291 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 6, 2018
It was the cover with those beautiful patterns of drawing imitating Spirographs and, of course the title “Urmila” which was accompanied by an intriguing footnote, all put together enthralled me, so the result, I was sold totally.
Sometimes I do appreciate my instinct on buying books on a whim rather than too much of googling or reading the blurb.
Those who have read or heard Ramayana, you might have come across the name “Urmila”. Yes, she is none other than Ram’s brother Lakshman’s wife. Since the epic speaks much volumes of Sita’s sufferings it forgets to highlight/mention the other minor characters painstaking moments in detail. Coming to this book, our author has drawn inspiration from “Urmila of Ramayana” and beautifully pens the pain and emotions of “Urmila” in her own debut novel in a brilliant way with a modern twist.
Storyline/Plot:
Urmila, the protagonist of our story faces the exact similar situation as the epic Urmila in Ramayana.
With lots of desires and expectations Urmila weds Shree under some unexpected melodramas. Like a normal girl she longs for love, support and care of her husband which was denied from day one to her.
To top it all, she was shell-shocked, when Shree abandons her, to follow his brother Puru’s footsteps in Dubai, since he worships him more than anything and leaves Urmila behind with his ailing parents on his behest.
When she was not at all prepared for this kind of betrayal and felt deeply shattered by her marriage dreams, Urmila decides to find peace and solitude by keeping herself focused with her passion for colour and canvases.
Meanwhile, she waits for her husband to return where days become weeks and months become lot many strugglesome years to follow. When she was completely drained of all her hopes and energy, one fine morning things change differently.
To find out what happens to Urmila due to this unannounced change and whether Shree get backs to her or not? You have to read this beautiful book packed with lots of emotions, I promise.
My thoughts on the Book:
To begin with, the story comprises of seven parts with seven vows (in the front page of each part) taken by the husband and wife as rituals during their marriage ceremony which was quite interesting.
Urmila narrates the whole story shuttling between the past and present. The tale has a strong Maharashtrian backdrop and throws some light on certain community people giving lots of importance to horoscopes reading, consulting every single thing to astrologers, changing/giving new names to the bride as if it brings luck to the family, conducting Bhishis and much more which was quite amusing and astonishing at the same time.
I do want to appreciate the author’s detailed analysis, plus, I loved the way how she uses so many native language which makes the story more alive and one can feel the essence wonderfully.
Other than Urmila, I personally liked the characters of Urmila’s parents and in-laws so much.
On an other note, I admired Vani, sister of Urmila, as her emotions were so real which makes you step into her shoes as if it was happening with one of you.
While you finish reading this emotional drama, though it’s fictional you will realise that, there are lots of Urmilas around you seeking happiness in their own aspects.
And I warn you, especially the last fifty pages of the book make you teary-eyed, little depressed and disturbing too, but who cares or complaints when you read a good book, it all comes as a package, so better enjoy.
I believe it’s a plethora of emotions which you can feel only after reading this lovely book.
P.S: It was the climax which stole the show and made me think to go inside the book to pat Urmila’s shoulder and if possible give her a bear hug with happy tears in my eyes.
Such an absolute delightful read it was! Do read this beautiful book and share your thoughts.
Happy Reading!
Sometimes I do appreciate my instinct on buying books on a whim rather than too much of googling or reading the blurb.
Those who have read or heard Ramayana, you might have come across the name “Urmila”. Yes, she is none other than Ram’s brother Lakshman’s wife. Since the epic speaks much volumes of Sita’s sufferings it forgets to highlight/mention the other minor characters painstaking moments in detail. Coming to this book, our author has drawn inspiration from “Urmila of Ramayana” and beautifully pens the pain and emotions of “Urmila” in her own debut novel in a brilliant way with a modern twist.
Storyline/Plot:
Urmila, the protagonist of our story faces the exact similar situation as the epic Urmila in Ramayana.
With lots of desires and expectations Urmila weds Shree under some unexpected melodramas. Like a normal girl she longs for love, support and care of her husband which was denied from day one to her.
To top it all, she was shell-shocked, when Shree abandons her, to follow his brother Puru’s footsteps in Dubai, since he worships him more than anything and leaves Urmila behind with his ailing parents on his behest.
When she was not at all prepared for this kind of betrayal and felt deeply shattered by her marriage dreams, Urmila decides to find peace and solitude by keeping herself focused with her passion for colour and canvases.
Meanwhile, she waits for her husband to return where days become weeks and months become lot many strugglesome years to follow. When she was completely drained of all her hopes and energy, one fine morning things change differently.
To find out what happens to Urmila due to this unannounced change and whether Shree get backs to her or not? You have to read this beautiful book packed with lots of emotions, I promise.
My thoughts on the Book:
To begin with, the story comprises of seven parts with seven vows (in the front page of each part) taken by the husband and wife as rituals during their marriage ceremony which was quite interesting.
Urmila narrates the whole story shuttling between the past and present. The tale has a strong Maharashtrian backdrop and throws some light on certain community people giving lots of importance to horoscopes reading, consulting every single thing to astrologers, changing/giving new names to the bride as if it brings luck to the family, conducting Bhishis and much more which was quite amusing and astonishing at the same time.
I do want to appreciate the author’s detailed analysis, plus, I loved the way how she uses so many native language which makes the story more alive and one can feel the essence wonderfully.
Other than Urmila, I personally liked the characters of Urmila’s parents and in-laws so much.
On an other note, I admired Vani, sister of Urmila, as her emotions were so real which makes you step into her shoes as if it was happening with one of you.
While you finish reading this emotional drama, though it’s fictional you will realise that, there are lots of Urmilas around you seeking happiness in their own aspects.
And I warn you, especially the last fifty pages of the book make you teary-eyed, little depressed and disturbing too, but who cares or complaints when you read a good book, it all comes as a package, so better enjoy.
I believe it’s a plethora of emotions which you can feel only after reading this lovely book.
P.S: It was the climax which stole the show and made me think to go inside the book to pat Urmila’s shoulder and if possible give her a bear hug with happy tears in my eyes.
Such an absolute delightful read it was! Do read this beautiful book and share your thoughts.
Happy Reading!
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December 3, 2017ok ok..
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews