The fascination with Ravana is unmatched today, and several intellectuals and authors tried to tell the Ramayana from Ravana’s perspective. Anand Neelakantan also tried to retell his story in “Asura: Tale of the Vanquished.”

The author created a world of Asuras, who were indigenous people of India. They were black and living in a free society where everyone had equal opportunity to rise. Men and women competed with each other equally and followed the way of Dharma. There was a continuous tussle between followers of Shiva, who were indigenous people of India, and followers of Vishnu, the Devas’ who were foreigners. Devas’ wanted to conquer India, but the Asura army was a big thorn in their path. Ravana was an over-ambitious person, who decided to take back everything which was taken from Asura. He learned everything from the old king Mahabali, and gradually started his long journey to glory.