Author • Actor • Filmmaker

“Reimagining myth, memory, and the human spirit — across worlds, eras, and realities.”

Shiva Kumar is a storyteller whose work ignites the space where myth, memory, and imagination collide. Born in India and raised in a traditional Tamil family, he grew up surrounded by the fables and folklore of Indian life — tales that would one day fuel his lifelong fascination with mythology, epic fantasy, and speculative worlds. His path has taken him across England, Egypt, India, and the United States, each culture deepening his sense of wonder and expanding his creative lens.

His acclaimed trilogy, The Lanka Chronicles, catapults the ancient Indian epic The Ramayana into the 23rd century, blending timeless legend with a visionary future. The saga begins with An Awakening (2022), continues with A New Reality (2023), and concludes with Path of Destiny (2024) — a sweeping reimagining of gods, mortals, and destiny itself.

Kumar also brings his actor’s voice and filmmaker’s ear to the An Awakening audiobook, which he personally narrated and produced — now available on Audible, iTunes, and Amazon.

Beyond myth and science fiction, his storytelling roots run deep in human experience. His award-winning screenplay Journey to Babylon is a nostalgic coming-of-age tale set in 1970s Long Island, following a creative Indian teenager whose first wild summer party becomes a turning point in his quest for identity and belonging.

AN AWAKENING

Bereft. Haunted. Hunted by Destiny.

In the year 2294, Dharma Raghav, Prime Minister of the New India Federation of Planets is a broken man carrying the ghosts of a war he cannot forget. Thirty years ago, on a planet called Lanka, he battled demon hordes and lost the only woman he ever loved.

Now, a cryptic message from that cloaked planet rips open old wounds—and promises answers he cannot ignore. Dharma abandons his throne of power and, with his brother Loki, boards the galaxy’s first sentient starship: Maya 1. But Maya is not just a vessel—she is alive. She dreams. She hungers. And she has questions only Dharma’s darkest memories can answer.

As man, machine, and myth collide, Dharma is thrust back into the flames of Lanka, where destiny, vengeance, and redemption await.

Blending science fiction, fantasy, and Indian mythology, The Lanka Chronicles is a sweeping reimagining of the Ramayana in the 23rd century—perfect for fans of Frank Herbert’s Dune and James S.A. Corey’s The Expanse.

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Praise for An Awakening

“The narrative weaves together elements of history, mythology, and personal growth, making it a compelling and multi-layered read … not only a thrilling adventure but also a reflection on the enduring human spirit.” - A Look Inside

“Deep richly complex background…see, hear, feel, and smell while reading.”

“Backdrop of love, war, politics, and family dynamics.”

“I was swept into this world from the very first pages.”

“A gateway to an elaborate saga that captured me right from the start.”

“The relentless pacing meant that once started, this book was hard to put down.”

“Elements of Star Trek and a Lord of the Rings style quest keeps you turning the pages.”

Book 1 of The Lanka Chronicles

AN AWAKENING

Book 1 of The Lanka Chronicles Audiobook

Now available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon

The author, Shiva Kumar, crafts an enthralling journey that hooks you from the start, weaving a rich tapestry of complex characters, heart-pounding action, and a deep undercurrent of retribution that keeps you glued to every moment. Kumar’s narration is nothing short of stellar, effortlessly bringing each character to life with distinct, consistent voices while nailing the emotional depth, cadence, and inflections that amplify the story’s intensity. The masterful blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and Indian mythology feels organic, with vivid descriptions and smooth-flowing plot twists that propel the narrative forward, making the epic length of this audiobook breeze by without a dull moment. Whether it’s the intricate dialogue adding layers to the characters or the seamless genre fusion, Kumar’s performance as both author and narrator delivers a captivating, immersive experience that lingers long after the final chapter.

Audiobookreviewer.com

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A NEW REALITY

A Living Planet. A Dark Prophecy. A War that cannot be Escaped.

Exiled and stranded, Dharma and his companions crash-land on Lanka, a world that strips them of their technology, weapons—and power. But survival is only the beginning. Bloodthirsty, demonic shapeshifters prowl the forests, and corruption spreads like fire.
Arya discovers a terrifying gift: the ability to channel the soul of the planet itself. As the shadows deepen, alien species unite under Dharma’s command in a desperate bid to reclaim their world. Yet even as armies rise, the ancient Vanara Prophecy warns: war is inevitable, and its cost will be beyond imagining.

Meanwhile, aboard the sentient starship Maya, memories stir. Her search for meaning draws her deeper into Dharma’s past, toward questions that could unravel everything—man, machine, and myth alike.

In this bold continuation of The Lanka Chronicles, science fiction collides with mythology in an epic saga. Perfect for fans of Dune, Blade Runner, and The Expanse.

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Praise for A New Reality

“In The Lanka Chronicles, age-old Indian epics reincarnate in the 23rd century. Kumar’s inclusive and diverse interpretation breathes fresh life into a timeless tale, while reverently preserving its essential core.” - Dhara Parekh, Author of Unearthing Idyll, Book 1 of Asymptote Universe

"A unique and boldly imaginative work, a mesmerizing, jaw-dropping read. The writing is elegant, the characters are magnetic, and the overall story is fantastic". -Ashutosh Mehndiratta, Author of India and Faraway Lands, 5000 years of Connected History

“Shiva Kumar continues to demonstrate his prowess in crafting a captivating and imaginative sci-fi tale that captivates readers from the very beginning. The intricate plot, well-developed characters, and the seamless fusion of science and mysticism make this novel a stellar addition to The Lanka Chronicles, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this epic saga.” - A Look Inside

“Another captivating installment that expands on the characters' deepest emotions: their grief, hope, shame, guilt, and perseverance . . . As a fan of Greek mythology and western epics (such as the Aeneid, Odyssey, Iliad, and Paradise Lost) I felt equally entertained by the book's composition . . . I am anxiously awaiting the next saga to see how things unfold!”

“Science fiction and Hindu mythology, merge in a beautifully engaging way.”

“A completely reimagined universe, as much Dune and Bladerunner as The Ramayana.”

“A fascinating read!! In “A New Reality”, Book 2 of the Lanka Chronicles, the power of family dynasties fade away in a new world where Dharma, Loki and Arya are left to rediscover themselves and the limits of technology against the powers of Nature on this distant planet. The author weaves a tale of human virtues and frailties intertwined with alien civilizations on the hidden planet of Lanka. You find yourself living within this new world’s landscapes and cultures, developing affinities for individual characters on all sides as they struggle with their changing world and both past and present intruders from Earth. The book leads to a rousing crescendo at the end, leaving you ready for the next chapter in the Lanka Chronicles!”

Book 2 of The Lanka Chronicles

PATH OF DESTINY

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Book 3 of The Lanka Chronicles

The Prophecy is Revealed. The Destiny Begins.

War consumes Lanka. Dharma leads the armies of Prithvi against Iraivan’s relentless Asura hordes, even as his soul fractures under the weight of impossible choices.

Arya, imprisoned within a containment matrix, struggles to break free. Will her unleashed power becomes the very scourge that destroys the planet she longs to save? As allies fall and heroes sacrifice everything, Dharma discovers he can channel Prana through the dream-pathways of Prithvi itself. But will it be enough to help Arya shatter her prison—or will destiny demand an even greater price?

Meanwhile, aboard the sentient starship Maya 1, questions of humanity, sacrifice, and memory deepen. What truly happened on Lanka thirty years ago—and how will it shape the final fate of man, machine, and myth?

Path of Destiny brings The Lanka Chronicles to a breathtaking conclusion—a visionary fusion of science fiction, mythology, and epic fantasy. The Ramayanareimagined for a new age.

“With the final chapter of The Lanka Chronicles Saga, Shiva Kumar continues to demonstrate his prowess in crafting a captivating and imaginative sci-fi tale that enchants readers from the very beginning.”-A Look Inside Blog and Podcast

Also available
An Awakening: Book 1of The Lanka Chronicles
A New Reality: Book 2 of The Lanka Chronicles

Praise for Path of Destiny

“Shiva's ability to weave Hindu mythology, sentient AI, galactic divinity and small exquisite personal moments into a gripping, fast paced and entertaining cosmic tale is unparalleled. The Lanka Chronicles is a stunning achievement.” – Sean O’Neil, author of The Galway Banshees

“Shiva Kumar continues to demonstrate his prowess in crafting a captivating and imaginative science fiction tale that captivates readers from the very beginning. The intricate plot, well-developed characters, and the seamless fusion of science and mysticism make this novel a stellar conclusion to The Lanka Chronicles Saga.” – A Look Inside, Blog and Podcast

“[Shiva Kumar] has masterfully crafted a compelling story that works on many levels, as a futuristic mythological adventure, an emotional tale of struggles between spouses, siblings, allies and enemies, and as an exploration of larger themes of power, love, trust, morality, and deception.” – Jeffery G., Reviewer

"Looking forward to reading the third book in this trilogy. The first two have left me waiting for the third. Although the story is loosely based on the Ramayana, there is so much richness in the modern science fiction story that Shiva has crafted, the events in the story had a really strong impact on me. The kidnap of Arya (the Sita character) was something I knew was coming, but despite it, I kept hoping against hope that something or someone would stop it at the last minute. I highly recommend this trilogy to any of you who like science fiction, or just a good story.” – Deepa

With a heartfelt nod to the wonderful films of Edward Burns, echoes of Richard Linklater’s ‘Dazed and Confused’ and Meera Nair’s ‘Namesake’, ‘Journey to Babylon’ is a funny, bittersweet, coming-of-age story of a creative and artistic sixteen-year-old boy from India who, like every other Indian immigrant, is expected to become a doctor or engineer.

Set in 1976, Rishi is invited to his first-ever wild summer pool party in a very insular, very white, Babylon, Long Island. Trying desperately to belong, to be cool, and to be accepted, the zany weekend becomes a crucible, where he discovers his truth, his dreams, his place in this brave new world, and his unique take on the American dream.