“Dvaitam: The Rise of Asura” by Uttam Dutta is a captivating blend of history and fiction that brings two distinctly unique worlds together on the canvas that the author paints the plotline on. What begins as a story of an ordinary person soon develops into a plot on a celestial level, delving into universal truth and goes deeper into the exploration of life beyond the regular. This gives the first part of the series a touch of suspense, mystery, excitement, wonder, and curiosity. What makes the novel more interesting is the apt use of historical figures and conditions in the context of the modern world and understanding them in light of their relevance in history. The blend of authentic characters from Ramayana and Mahabharat offers a perfect amalgamation of two distinct forms of writing and it comes across as a fascinating tale that keeps the readers on their toes throughout.

The story of “Dvaitam” develops on many parallel levels, with events unfolding sequentially, thus explaining circumstances and how they influence and shapes people’s personalities. In the midst of this, the predicament of human lives, the perks and shortcomings are carefully presented alongside the predicaments of celestial figures that are represented in the book. What makes reading “Dvaitam” even more interesting is that the representation of celestial figures having prominent human-like qualities, characteristics, emotions, targets and achievements. At the same time, the author goes to great lengths to explain the events that have shaped their personalities into who they are. This makes all characters relatable and understandable so that the reader does not just end up  categorising them as good and bad guys.  

Simultaneously, the concept of noble and evil (right and wrong) is explored through a special lens that gives the readers freedom to decide for themselves what is good and bad. The author ensures that his opinions are not imposed upon the readers, and they are able to infer on their own. They have the liberty to decipher the loopholes and make the decision. Uttam Dutta makes this possible by not being present in the narrative himself and giving the baton to an unnamed third-person narrator who does not hesitate to share a neutral space with the characters. This way, the characters get their individual platforms to share their stories and give the readers a chance to objectively see them in light of their own life stories stated in their own words. This amalgamation keeps the imagination of the readers ignited throughout the narrative. In that sense, “Dvaitam” is more than just a novel of remark, it indeed emerges as a book that truly deserves a movie, as the book cover mentions.

Therefore, I recommend “Dvaitam- The Rise of Asura” by Uttam Dutta to all the readers who are looking forward to reading an interesting tale that opens the doors of their imagination to a new world where celestial beings, historical characters and humans come together for a common cause. At the same time, the visits and appearances of other prominent historical figures raises the stature of the book and ensure its appeal to a wider range of audience. The book further strengthens the notion that despite shifting circumstances and the apparent dominance of evil, goodness will inevitably assert itself within society.