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 Venmurasu, a 26-volume Tamil retelling of the Mahābhārata by Bahuleyan Jeyamohan. | |
| Author | Bahuleyan Jeyamohan |
|---|---|
| Original title | Venmurasu |
| Illustrator | Shanmugavel |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | IndianMagic Realism or Puranic realism[1] |
| Publisher | Natrinai Pathippagam Kizhakku Pathippagam |
Publication date | 2014 |
| Publication place | India |
| Media type | Print (hardback &paperback) |
| Pages | 22,400 |
Venmurasu (Tamil: வெண்முரசு, Veṇmurasu; transl. "The White Drum") is aTamil-language novel byBahuleyan Jeyamohan. It is a modern retelling of the Indian epic poem, theMahābhārata. Consisting of 26 volumes and spanning approximately 22,400 pages,Venmurasu is one of the longest novels ever published.[2] Jeyamohan began writing this novel in January 2014 and completed it in July 2020.
The novel follows a linear narrative style similar to that of theMahābhārata. It has been published in hardcover and paperback.
In a 2015 interview with CMR Tamil, authorB. Jeyamohan cited theKathakali renditions of theMahābhārata as his main source of influence forVenmurasu. This inspiration featured theKathakali portrayals of characters such asDuryodhana andKarna, which Jeyamohan stated shaped his childhood.[3][4] The Bhagavad Gita also influenced his worldview.
He began writingVenmurasu in January 2014 after a conversation with his daughter. He uploaded a chapter online every day throughout the writing process.
Jeyamohan has describedVenmurasu as a modern novel based on theMahābhārata. While the epic’s framework guides the storyline, it incorporates modern literary techniques such as nested narratives, intertextuality, and fantasy elements. Jeyamohan refers to this stylistic approach as Puranic Realism.[1]
Drawing from sources including theSrimad Bhagavata, theDevi Bhagavata, and folk traditions,Venmurasu interweaves myths and legends from diverse Indian traditions. The novel has been compared to classical works likeThe Odyssey,The Iliad, andKamba Ramayana.[5]
AlthoughVenmurasu roughly follows the linear structure of theMahābhārata, its individual episodes are often non-linear. The novel frequently employs Sūtas, traditional traveling bards, to recount stories. The work is structured as a series of interconnected books, each with its own storyline, including:Mudharkanal,Mazhaippadal,Vannakkadal,Neelam,Prayagai,Venmugil Nagaram,Indraneelam,Kaandepam,Veiyon,Panniru Padaikkalam,Solvalarkaadu,Kiratham,Maalamalar,Neerkkolam,EzhuThazhal,Kuruthicharal,Imaikkanam,Senna Vengai,Thisaither Vellam,Kaarkadal,Irutkani,Theein Edai,Neerchudar,Kalittriyaanai Nirai,Kalporusirunurai, andMuthalaavin.
Venmurasu's volumes are listed below:
