Anand Neelakantan's journey as an author has been marked by a deep exploration of Indian mythology, challenging conventional narratives, and offering fresh perspectives on age-old tales.
His latest venture, "The Asura Way: The Contrarian Path to Success," marks a departure from his previous mytho-fictions, delving into non-fiction territory. Motivated by a fascination with the deeper meanings hidden within ancient tales, Neelakantan aims to extract actionable wisdom from the stories of the Asuras, traditionally portrayed as antagonists.
Embracing qualities like passion, ambition, and desire often deemed negative, Neelakantan sees the Asura path as a refreshing outlook in today's age. In this exclusive interview with Storizen Magazine, he discusses the inspiration behind his latest work, the challenges of challenging conventional beliefs, and his trust in his wife Aparna as his first critic. "The Asura Way" is published by Jaico Publishing House.
Anand Neelakantan, you have written mythofictions for adults and kids, and now The Asura Way: The Contrarian Path to Success, a non-fiction book is surprising. What motivated you to author this book?
I've always been fascinated by mythology and the deeper meanings hidden within ancient tales. In my previous books, I aimed to reinterpret myths and present alternate perspectives, questioning the conventional notions of good versus evil. With The Asura Way, I wanted to take a step further to extract actionable wisdom from these stories and apply them to the challenges we face today. The Asuras symbolize qualities like passion, ambition, and desire often portrayed negatively, but containing tremendous potential. I felt their contrarian path could offer a refreshing outlook for those seeking fulfillment and success in this age of Kali. By learning from their mindset, we can break free of limiting beliefs and chart our own course through life's complexities.
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