Funny thing is that he isn't among the most famous of demons in Hindu mythology. You have Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Indrajit, Ghatotkacha, Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha, Bali, Mahishashur and quite a few more b4 the name 'Taraka' comes to mind. And even then, if one says Taraka, one normally first thinks of the demoness slain by Rama.
I once did a poll in the AS Ramayan forum on who was the greatest demon ever, and IIRC, I think either Ravan or Indrajit won it. Personally, I happen to think that Bali & Banasura are @ the top - Bali for winning Narayan's favor, which is something, and Banasura, for having Mahadev himself plead his case b4 Krishna. I'd add Taki's sons to the list as well - as far as I'm concerned, they were practitioners of dharam, and the only reason that they got destroyed was Indra's jealousy, compounded w/ Vishnu's bigotry.
Taki was certainly unique if he could defeat Vishnu (only others that I recall were Veerbhadra, and on the asura side, Bhimasura, son of Kumbhakarna/Karkati). But unfortunately, despite his great role in uniting Mahadev & Parvati, he is rarely remembered or recognized. This serial has done a wonderful job in highlighting him, albeit w/ some Wacko accounts of his meeting Vritra, Shumbha and being around during Sati's era, and being constrained by Shukracharya (is it even mentioned anywhere that Shukracharya was his guru? I thought that Taki preceded Shukracharya) Normally, thanks to the festivals, people remember Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Mahishashur and Hiranyakashipu, and maybe Chanda & Munda (for Mahakali devotees). Those who follow the scriptures might probably have in mind in addition to them Bali. But how many people normally remember even the good ones - Bali, Prahlad, Vibheeshan, Vidyunmali, Ghatotkacha (okay, he was grey), Banasura? Much less Tarakasura?
Hardly any. Which is why this serial has done great by highlighting Tarakasura. Raj Premi was a sympathetic & tragic figure in CGM, where his character got slain, so it was fantastic seeing him almost ubiquitous in this serial. He's actually given a face to Tarakasura, who's usually just a footnote in stories about Mahadev. Along w/ Mohit, Mouni & Sonarika, he's carved himself as one of the mytho greats already, in my book.
But asura ka asura? For me, it would be a toss up b/w Bali, Vidyunmali and Banasura. Too bad that 2 of them don't rhyme w/ asura to make it a parallel alternative title to this serial
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Cricket
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
