HarperCollins India publishes the tale of Mahabharat's tragic hero Karna

For the tragic hero Karna of the epic Mahabharata this question was perhaps uppermost in his mind and had tormented him all his life. His existence had seemed entangled, as it were, in the answer.

His dignity, his destination, his ambitions--all seemed linked to that entanglement. The irony was that the truth, instead of liberating the Sutaputra, had made him rudderless.

Karna, also known as Angaraja, Radheya, Kaunteya, Mrityunjaya, was the only warrior who could match Arjuna.

To bring the tale of this ancient feisty fighter to modern readers HarperCollins India presents the English translation of 'Radheya' by Marathi author Ranjit Desai.

Born of the Sun god and the unwed princess Kunti, who abandons him at birth, Karna is mistreated from the very beginning. Rejected by Drona, taunted by Draupadi, insulted by his blood brothers, misunderstood by many and manipulated even by the gods, Karna is the classic tragic hero.

In 'Radheya', Desai, the author of Marathi classics like Shriman Yogi and Swami, gave voice to the angst and loneliness of Karna. Translated into English for the first time, the novel brings to surface the many facets of Karna’s character: his compassionate nature, his hurt and hubris, the love for his wife, his allegiance to Duryodhana and his complicated relationship with Krishna.

Padma Shri Ranjit Desai (1928–1992) wrote novels, short stories and plays. He received many awards in his lifetime, including the Maharashtra Rajya Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Vikrant Pande has translated several Marathi authors, including N.S. Inamdar, V.P. Kale, Milind Bokil and Girish Kuber.