MANSUR BY VIKRAMAJIT RAM

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BOOK NAME: MANSUR

AUTHOR NAME: VIKRAMAJIT RAM

GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION

PUBLISHER: PANMACMILLAN INDIA

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Mansur/dp/9390742978/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=


BOOK COVER IMAGE




BOOK REVIEW

This book is based on the life story of Ustad Mansur, the master painter and artist in Emperor Jahangir's court during the Mughal Empire. He was one of the finer artists to paint animals and birds after closely observing them, and he even painted a few from his imagination. His portrait of the dodo is so famous that it's said that their eyes were painted with a precision that no one else ever managed to recreate. He is also said to have signed his paintings even during the seventeenth century, which reflect his confidence, position and power in the court. 


The Empress Nurjahan also bestows him the responsibility of handing over a few souvenirs to the emperor himself after painting each page with a butterfly. From what history says, Mansur was fondly known as "Nadir-ul-Asr" by many, which means "Rarity of the Present". But during an era and in a place where hierarchy and rivalries existed, Mansur had become a victim of gossip and jealousy. It leads to a spiral of events that ends in a conspiracy against him that is webbed by his colleagues and junior artists. Will Mansur manage to evade them to excel and deliver the souvenir to his emperor? 


Mostly biographical and partly fiction, this book sheds light on Ustad Mansur's grandeur talent, added with a hint of mystery. The descriptions of his paintings were vivid and fascinating. I wouldn't say it's one of the fastest reads just because it's less than 200 pages because the language is vibrant and intricate. You might find it slightly repelling if you do not enjoy elaborate, complex descriptions like in this book. But you could try reading them slower by ensuring attention to minor details that would make the reading experience pleasant. This book brought Mansur's picturesque tapestries to life with its detailing and narration.


MY REVIEW: 3.5/5

This is a part of Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel


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