Anila

**Anila** is Brynne Rao's biological, yet estranged mother. Although not being crucial to the main plotline in the series, she is mentioned a few times in Aru Shah and the Song of Death and Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes. Surprisingly, though, she plays an important in her daughter Brynne's character development.

## History

### Early Life

Not much is known about Anila's early life, although it can be assumed that she probably grew up in a part of the Otherworld. At some point in her life, presumably at a quiet young age, she met and fell in love with an Irish rakshasa musician.

### Brynne's Birth

After falling in love with the Irish musician, Anila, still quite young, gave birth to her biological daughter, Brynne Rao, the reincarnation of the Pandava Bhima; a fact that Anila was quite unaware of at that time.

The fact that Anila was pretty young at that time is a leading factor to the quite unfortunate fact that she wasn't a proper parent. She believed that she was too young and was unable to take care of her daughter, even though Brynne often tried to prove it to her. Once, when trying to cook something, Anila tried to grab her purse, and in that act, she pushed Brynne's hand into the pot of boiling water.

However, Anila wasn't always a bad mother. Sometimes, when Brynne won any kinds of tournaments, Anila would be proud of her, and even call Brynne 'her girl'.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

Anila is mentioned a few times whenever Brynne stonily brings up the topic of her biological family.

Later, in the Grove of Ratri, when Brynne and Aiden are reliving their worst fears, in Brynne's vision, Aru sees an elderly angry-looking woman, whom she realises to be an old Anila, who is still disapproves of her daughter.

### Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

Anila is mentioned by Brynne when she tries to console Aru after she sees the vision of her father, the Sleeper in the wooden eagle. Brynne says that it is hard to learn what astounding people one's estranged parents once were, proving it by saying that Anila was actually once a nice person.

Anila is mentioned once again in the Chakora Forest when the Potatoes are forced to say their secrets out loud. When it is Brynne's turn, she mention that she once stole from Anila so that she would come back to Gunky and Funky's house to retrieve the thing and stay for a bit longer with Brynne.

### Aru Shah and the City of Gold

Brynne mentions Anila yet again, when she recalls one of her birthdays, when Anila completely ignored her and didn't arrive for her birthday dinner.

## Personality

In the books, it is often implied that Anila is somewhat cold, selfish and distant with her daughter. She estranged her daughter at a young age, proving that she can't be a good parental figure.

However, despite that, it is said a few times in the books that she was once a nice and kind person. She also isn't a bit too ahead of herself and shows that she does hold some love for her daughter when she calls Brynne 'her girl'

## Relationships

### Brynne Rao

Anila has a pretty rocky relationship with her estranged daughter. She believs that she is too young and is unable to take care of her daughter, even though Brynne often tries to prove it to her. Once, when trying to cook something, Anila tried to grab her purse, and in that act, she pushed Brynne's hand into the pot of boiling water. She once abandoned her daughter's birthday as well.

However, Anila wasn't always a bad mother. Sometimes, when Brynne won any kinds of tournaments, Anila would be proud of her, and even call Brynne 'her girl'.

## Etymology

* From the Sanskrit word '**anila**', meaning "wind" or "air".
* **Anila** is also another name for Vayu

## Trivia

* Interestingly enough, Anila shares her name with Brynne's soul father