The Vast: a still, dark, endless field of nothing, in which something broods and gathers, rising and billowing into waves. Everything emerges from these Vast waves, including Time, Creation, and the woman and two men known as The Three. From the waves come multitudes of beings, including the Asura, those of untiring breath who seek knowledge, and the Sura, the bright ones who keep order. The greatest of all the Sura and Asura is Surapadman, who will embody inventiveness, wisdom and statecraft for all time to come. The only one who can counter his might and challenge the rules of creation is Karthikeya, child of Shambhu and Uma and brother to Ganesha, the all-seeing elephant-headed god. Kala Krishnan has been exploring the Murugan universe for years now. In this first volume of a planned trilogy, she expands the mythologies of the god. Kumara, Karthikeya, Kanchan, Velan, the god of Tamizh, the patron of the Great Assembly of poets in Madurai, friend and mentor to the hot-headed and fiercely loyal Aambal, who is known to all as ‘Murugan’s poet’. A reimagining of the life and exploits of the magnificent young god, Mahasena is resonant with the stories that were, as well as vividly original. ‘Full of charm and delight—as much a homage to a cherished boy-god as it is a stirring panegyric to Tamizh and poets everywhere. ’ Sharanya Manivannan