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Winds of Hastinapur & Rise of Hastinapur | Sharath Komarraju | Bonafide Urban Chick

Sharath Komarraju is a lovely writer who has brilliantly written the story of Mahabharat from the perspective of its women - Ganga, Satyavati, Amba, Kunti and Gandhari!

Till now, two parts of the series have been published. First, Winds or Hastinapur and second, Rise of Hastinapur. We will look at both the books respectively, so that there is no confusion.

Winds of Hastinapur | Sharath Komarraju | Bonafide Urban Chick

All about Meru and Ganga's life! Winds of Hastinapur starts of throwing a lot of light on that fact that Ganga is not a person, but a philosophy, an idea, a never ending entity that reproduces in manifests. Ganga passes her wisdom, memories and identity to her daughter when she is of age. As such, Ganga is Gange from mother to daughter.  
It also explores the love shared between Ganga and Shantanu, as well as Shantanu and Satyavati. Just for clarity, Sharath has also exlored the love shared by Kali (Satyavati) and Parshuram!  How Kali went from being a smelly Matsyakanya to a well-wanted lady who even the King of Hastinapur couldn't resist.
Sharath speaks of Devratta and his struggle for Dharm and how to see his father happy, he gave up the humane joy of love and intimacy, which is the right of every man. He goes on to talk about Satyavatis struggle to be a good Queen.
The book ends with the birth of Dhritirashtra, Pandu and Anuj. That is where the real story of Hastinapur was to start!

Rise of Hastinapur | Sharath Komarraju | Bonafide Urban Chick

Rise of Hastinapur starts with Amba's love affair with Salva. Nonetheless, because Salva is the King of a Vassal state, when Devratta wins her and her sisters in the Swayamvar she has difficulties dealing with it. Devratta then gives her permission to go on to Salva if he gives up something in return. The politics of it all leaves Amba scorned.
Sharath then goes on to delve into the sensitive emotions of Gandhari and Kunti. How Kunti actually gets impregnated by Surya to have Karna and how Gandhari is traded off to the blind king of Hastinapur. The dilemma faced by Kamsa, a loving brother who has to see his sister live her life blind.
Sharath speaks of Bhishma, a father-like brother who can't seem to draw the line between guiding, and acting instead of, his younger brothers. He depicts Satyavati and her internal struggle to do what is right for the people, knowing that the biggest mistake made by her cannot be undone!
The book ends unveiling the politics of Meru and how it is working on the fate of Hastinapur and the Kuru race.