M.T. reconstructs “Mahabharata”, the great epic, as Randamoozham through the ‘pregnant silences’ he caught between the lines told by Krishnadwaipayana, the first Vyasa. He brings forth the real hero who brought victory to the Pandava clan in the Kurukshetra war.The one who was subjugated in the course of history and became a mere comic character before the world to laugh at. Bhima, the man with a double chin, protruding stomach and huge mace owns a new frame as a staunch warrior who did not need to hide his passions, hopes and disappointments. M.T. in his recreation of the great epic as Randamoozham (1977) (Second Turn) captures the soul of Bhima; his pains and desperations being the second from his birth. We can trace a subaltern background in Bhima – the sufferings and oppression he endured. The reconstruction of the past gives Bhima a chance to express his self and free the burden of his mind.
M.T’s recreation of Mahabharata from Bhima’s point of view through a series of flashbacks is an autobiographical narrative. The novel at the outset depicts a forest through which the pandavas resume their journey to attain moksha. On the way Draupadi falls down and all except Bhima leaves her heading for
Bhima was stronger and courageous than any of his brothers. But he never received any acceptance or consideration like any of them. He was always destined to fight for his clan like an obedient servant. There was no celebration, shouting or offering to God when Bhima first killed a wild boar which should have been done when a Kshatriya first felled an animal. Instead Yudishtira asked “Idiot, what stupidity have you committed? Mother shouldn’t know”. Dronacharya insisted Bhima to practice mace even though he was skilled in archery on the reason that ‘there were many others here to demonstrate archery’. Bhima was always subjugated and his opinions were oppressed by those around him. When Yudhishtira said that he was ready to avoid war if he gets half the country with Indraprastha or at least five villages, Bhima’s temper flared. He asked “who decided that we should have only five villages?” For this Yudhishtira said that he had the right to do that and if Bhima had any doubt the battle should start among the pandavas themselves first.
At Varanavat forest Bhima meets the tribal girl Hidumbi whom he falls in love with. He kills her brother Hidumba in a strong fight and marries her. Hidumbi is accepted as his wife and lives in their tent like a maid. But when they decided to leave for Ekachakra, Bhima leaves her in the forest on Kunthi’s words. He there loses his voice to plea for his own wife. Draupadi, when became his wife did not had any true feelings for him. She approached him only when wanted to take revenge on any of her enemies or to fulfill her mad desires. In Saugandhikaharanam Bhima sets out in response to Draupadi’s plea to fetch the rare flower she fancied. After difficult adventures he becomes successful in plucking the bloom from Kubera’s garden and gives her in the hope of receiving some affectionate words. But Draupadi even without smelling the flowers handles it to Yudhishtira and the elder prince walked on murmuring the stupidity of people going to such unnecessary lengths for a bunch of flowers. On the way Bhima sees the abandoned bunch of flowers.
What M.T. rendered through Randamoozham is the fact that Bhima was a character of total neglect. History treats him only as a man of large size and mace. But somewhere here and there in Mahabharata we feel between the lines the presence of a great warrior whose potentials were significant for the final victory at Kurukshetra. The war at Kurukshetra was remarkable for Bhima. He was surprised to see Ghatotkacha, his son born to Hidumbi, who had come to help his father’s side in the war. In the war Ghatotkacha faces Karna bravely and was killed by the ultimate weapon Karna reserved for Arjuna.
According to Kshatriya code, the throne is for the one who wins the war. By any standard Bhima was fit to rule. It was Bhima who killed Dushasana. He also killed Duryodana the enemy who made him a tough warrior, the last day. It was by the hands of Bhima that Kauravas died. But why he did not become the king? He was always oppressed and neglected. Draupadi requested him not to accept the crown as she was not willing to accompany Yudhishtira and live a life of recluse or live at the mercy of Balandara, Bhima’s queen. Kunthi approached him and said that Bhima being unaccustomed to statecraft and scriptural laws was unfit to be king. When she leaves Bhima laughs louder to overcome his emotion because of the fact that the strong should not weep. He was the leader who won the war, but did not gain anything for himself. His strength and energy were utilized by others for their own existence.
In the end of the novel we could see a completely shattered Bhima. When he hears in the battlefield that Karna is the eldest of Pandavas, he was really shocked. He asks his mother “who am I”? Kunti then reveals the truth that she wished for a strong son and she doesn’t know his name; he came from the forest and disappeared into the forest. By hearing this Bhima was disappointed because he was told that he was the son of God Vayu and now he does not know who his real father is. He was also betrayed .
Through Second Turn M.T. helps Bhima to disclose the heartbreaking events in his life, together with the mighty feats he had achieved for his clan. He never but received any respect or acceptance from the part of those for whom he submitted his whole life. He gained nothing for himself. M.T. elevated Bhima to the forefront exuberating his power and emotions.
