“Whenever I asked the question: ‘Who is the author of Shakuntala?’ the most common reply is ‘Kalidasa’. This is due to the popularity of his play, ‘Abhigyan Shakuntalam’, that it has been forgotten that Shakuntala is a character from the epic Mahabharata and one who was created by Sage Vyasa. My book, ‘Shakuntala: The Woman Wronged’, is an attempt to bring out the true characters out in the open,” says Utkarsh Patel, the author of ‘Shakuntala: The Wronged Woman’ which was released in September this year. Utkarsh Patel is not just an author but a mythologist who has really interesting insights on mythology. He is a professor of Comparative Mythology at Mumbai University and has qualifications in Indian and World Mythology. He is a founder-member of the Talking Myth Project. He feels that men are always portrayed as heroes while little is spoken about women heroes; Shakuntala is one such woman. Shakuntala’s character was made famous by the Sanskrit play ‘Abhijnana Shakuntalam’ by Mahakavi Kalidasa, however, there was a big difference in the original characterisation of Shakuntala by Vyasa and the dramatic representation by Kalidasa. The story of Shakuntala is well known right from her upbringing in the ashram, her meeting with Dushyant, their marriage and subsequent separation due to a curse and their final joyous reunion. However, what immortalises Shakuntala through the works of Kalidasa apart from the original Shakuntala of the Mahabharata is that she was a strong, fiery woman who stood up for her rights when she was spurned by her beloved. The book delves into two other characters that have either been forgotten or misunderstood in the popular cultural milieu. These two characters, Ahalya and Madhavi, have been introduced in this novel and debated about. “Besides making for a wonderful addition to the main plot, it brings out a healthy debate about the status of women in those days, and how popular cultures have led to incorrect notions about them or the fact that the true nature of the characters has not been discussed. It gives modern women an opportunity to analyse and give their take on it, which enhances Shakuntala’s story,” adds Utkarsh, who has also added a few fictional characters but kept the story very close to the original. Utkarsh has been teaching at Mumbai University for nearly 7 years but starting writing the book just eight months back. “The book required time for researching and writing. There would be days when the story would just flow and then I would be stuck for weeks with a character that was not moving ahead,” explains Utkarsh. The book is published by Rupa & Co and is available across bookstores in Goa and India. “Today, publishing houses are showing interest in contemporary mythology with a story. I sent the initial draft to four publishing houses from which, three responded positively. There have been many Indian mythological heroes written about like Ram, Arjun and Mahaveer but very few women. Shakuntala is a female hero who stood in a court full of men and spoke words of courage. She stands out in a world full of male heroes,” says Utkarsh. What was the initial response for this first time author? “The initial response was good as for a first time author many people rely on word of mouth. I received a positive feedback from my publishers as well as the readers.” Commenting on what sets this book apart from what has been portrayed earlier, Utkarsh states, “This book compares Shakuntala to today’s modern-day woman and wife. A woman who is independent, assertive, courageous and yet endowed with tenderness, the capability of great love and the ability to take risks as well as give of oneself unreservedly, and a wife who insisted on equality and respect from her man; who reminded her husband of his duty towards her; who told him what honour is and what an honourable man should do.”