Mithilesh Kumar: "Unlike Shri Ram’s life, we do not know many aspects of Shri Krishna’s life" (Interview)

I had recently read a book named Supercop of Aryavrat written by Mithilesh Kumarji. I loved the book and when I came to know that author is more than 65 years of age, I became more interested to know about him and hence, I took the opportunity of interviewing him which is here for all of you to read and understand him as much as me.

Hi Mithileshji, tell us something about your book- Supercop of Aryavrat. — My book SuperCop of ARYAVRAT is Shri Krishna’s story from Shri Krishna’s perspective.

What made you write this book? How did you choose Lord Krishna out of all the Gods for writing your 1^st mythological book? — First, I want to clarify that this is not a mythological book, this is a historical novel. This is not the story of Lord Krishna; this is the story of one of our most illustrious ancestors, Shri Krishna who was born on July the 19th, 3228 BC and who died on Feb the 18th, 3102 BC. Being our ancestor, he was more than God/Lord for me. So I don’t address him as Lord or God. I feel I am nearer to him when I prefix his name with Shri as we prefix the names of our parents, grandparents, etc. — This is Shri Krishna’s story from Shri Krishna’s perspective.

            Now coming to the question what made me write this book, well, many friends informed me that they knew everything about Shri Krishna through TV serials, films and various books on him. Why another book? I asked them, ‘Okay, you know everything about him. Then tell me the names of all his eight principal queens.’ No one could go beyond four.  We do not know even this basic fact of his life. While researching on his life, I came to know that there are other aspects too we do not know and I decided to give words to his complete life story.

Since when you were inclined towards mythology and why did it take you so long to write this book? — Again I want to clarify first that SuperCop of ARYAVRAT is a historical novel, not a mythological story. The reason is and I repeat that Shri Krishna was a historical figure, and not a mythological one. How the dates of his birth and death were calculated is already available in public domain. But sceptics will still ask what is the proof that he really existed. A few hundred years from today the same question will be asked about Mahatma Gandhi too because people a few generations below the line will not believe that a frail looking man played an extremely important role pushing the mighty British away from India with what weapons — non-cooperation and non-violence. Next, before the Mughals and various dynasties of Muslim rulers, Prithvi Raj Chauhan was the king of Ajmer, Delhi and around. But in Delhi there are very few monuments of a period earlier than the rulers of Delhi Sultanate. In the matter of Shri Krishna and Dwarka, however, some artefacts brought out near Bet Dwarka from sea bed by marine archaeologists testify to the period. — In brief, he has been one of the our most illustrious and greatest ancestors and we must feel proud to be his progeny.

            After attaining sixty when I retired I wanted to start a second inning of my life. Writing was always my hobby even though it is a slightly monotonous job. Well, besides the creativity it gives me immense satisfaction. Since the time I thought of the idea of writing a book on Shri Krishna, it took me three-four years, reading about him from all the sources I could lay my hands on, then understanding various episodes of his life from realistic point of view, then deciphering the modern names of the kingdoms and cities of those days, and lastly drawing out the detailed plot. After that the job was easy. Giving words to all that and the book was ready.

As Amish Tripathi says that he didn’t plan to write about Lord Shiva but the story and book came to him from the Superpower sources. Did something similar happen with you too in this case? — No, I made a proper plan to write this book because I felt that unlike Shri Ram’s life, we do not know many aspects of Shri Krishna’s life. I have said in Preface that Valmiki was a contemporary of Shri Ram. He wrote the Ramayana that is the most authentic biography of Shri Ram. Later, great poets of different languages wrote their books on Shri Ram, keeping mostly Valmiki’s Ramayana as base. We keep Ramayana or another book on Shri Ram by some great poet at our home, and worship the book as well. On the other hand, Vedvyas was a contemporary of Shri Krishna, but he did not choose to write on the life of Shri Krishna that spanned for more than 125 years and 6 months and that remained as the pivot of most of the happenings of the Aryavrat of those days. Had he written it, it’d have been the most authentic biography of him. Instead, he chose to write a book on the 18-day war, the Mahabharata that we do not keep at home; keeping it at home is considered inauspicious.

How hard was it to research on Lord Krishna and how did you do it and since when? — The idea was in my mind since long as I said above. Then, researching on anything, any incident is not easy. That too when the story is more than five thousand years old. Besides when by the passage of time many incidents have been termed as miracles. But when you have determination, no power on the earth can stop you.

Weren’t you doubtful while writing that there could be controversy if you end up writing something about Lord Krishna which might offend someone? — I wrote the life story of Shri Krishna from the perspective of Shri Krishna who was one of our most illustrious ancestors. So there is no question of offending anyone.

What made you so specific that you didn’t share much about Bhagawad Gita in the book and focused on the character of Lord Krishna himself? — Because the story pertains to Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna in totality. Though Shri Mad Bhagwat Gita is an all time great scripture, renowned all over the world, it is only one part of him.

What is the next story you are planning to write? What is it based on? — I am contemplating another quality book, in another genre.

Can you please let us know what motivates you to write at this age of 65+? — Gurudev, after

attaining international fame and becoming the first Asian to win Nobel Prize in literature in 1913, for Gitanjali, and after writing evergreen and wonderful  novels, stories, dramas and getting lot of acclaim for songs as well, started painting at the age 60, and excelled in that too. Hence age is only a number and creativity has no age limit. We must take inspiration from him. Then, as I said earlier writing has been my hobby. Next, you must have seen cars of older generation sometimes needed to be pushed for getting started while the new generation cars are self-start. I am in the second category. So ideas keep on coming and my mind gets on perfecting them.

What would you like to advise to the youth of our nation and the aspiring writers? — To the youth of our nation I want to tell — you are the future of India. Excel in whatever field you are in and make your parents, your community and our country proud of you. At least try to achieve higher than what people of your immediately preceding generation have achieved lest your parents get known by your name. A father/mother feels proud when he/she gets recognised through his/her son/daughter.

            If you are interested in writing, you should be an avid reader first. After that you will realise that you too have a story that will slowly and slowly start bubbling out, to be told. Next, writing is a craft, develop it and perfect it. 6Ps for writing a good novel should be kept in mind. Plot, Prose, Practice, Perseverance, Patience, Perfection — each one with excellence.  

Thanks.

WRITING BUDDHA