Writing a book while still in school is no small feat, but for Madhavi Shandilya, a Class VIII student of Apeejay School, Saket, storytelling came naturally. Her book Mahabharata Retold reflects a thoughtful attempt to revisit one of India’s most complex epics through a fresh, relatable lens. In this interview, Madhavi speaks about her early start as a writer, the challenges of reimagining a legendary narrative, and how her school and family supported her creative journey.
Read edited excerpts:
When did your journey as an author begin, and how long did it take to bring your book to life?
I started writing when I was in Class IV. At that time, I was living in the United States. The book was finally published when I returned to India and was in Class VI. So, it took a couple of years of thinking, writing, and revising.
What inspired you to choose the Mahabharata as the subject of your book?
My father used to narrate stories from the Mahabharata to me. While listening, we felt that these stories could be written in a way that young readers would find easier to understand. That’s how the idea of writing the book came up.
Your version of the Mahabharata is described as ‘humanised’. What does that mean?
Many versions exaggerate characters or portray them almost like gods. I wanted to present them as humans. For example, Bheem is often said to have the strength of 10,000 elephants, which isn’t realistic. I tried to make such characters more relatable and believable.
How did you approach characters who are usually seen as purely ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
In television adaptations, characters are often shown in black and white. But when you read the original text by Veda Vyasa, you see many shades. The Pandavas were not perfect, and the Kauravas were not entirely evil. I wanted readers to understand that complexity.
What were some challenges you faced while writing the book?
The biggest challenge was writing about so many characters and defining their personalities clearly. To overcome this, I read different texts, including Puranas, and discussed interpretations with my father.
How did Apeejay School, Saket support your writing journey?
My teachers encouraged me to express myself freely. They read my manuscript and gave valuable suggestions before the book was published, which really helped improve it.
Who do you hope will read Mahabharata Retold?
I didn’t have a specific audience in mind. I wanted everyone, especially people my age to understand the Mahabharata without feeling overwhelmed by its complexity.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently working on another book that explores the geography and politics involved in the Mahabharata. It looks at where events took place and the political thinking behind them.