Check it out, I’m gonna make you read two Indian thingies! Both of them very easy reads, and short, don’t worry, and I am giving you more than enough time.
In ONE week, on Sunday the 7th, we will discuss Shakuntala. It is a classic drama of South Asia, and there are some great translations available. Also, super short. Like, the length of a long short story. It’s a fun easy read, and it will make you constantly go “OH! this is the bit that was in Taal! OH! This is the bit that was in Bahubali!” and so on and so forth.
Here’s the link to the Gutenberg translation, which is also the one I like best:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16659/16659-h/16659-h.htm#Page_1
That’s the fun easy quick read. For something a little more challenging, in THREE weeks, on Sunday the 21st, we will discuss the Siva Puranam of Ramesh Menon. It’s not super long but it is a bit long. And it’s not super complicated, but it is a bit complicated. Mostly it is just full of SEX. And it will give you a bit of a sense for the structure and ideas of Hindu Gods. Also, SEX!
Here is a link to the kindle edition:
The hard copy is a bit harder to find, try ebay or Biblio, and I am hoping I gave you enough lead time to get it!
dontcallitbollywood 
Halfway thru Siva Purana. Yes, sex.
And gods and goddesses, minor sages and yogis, prophets and tellers, rajas and ranis, and on and on. And a lot mischief and mayhem and merriment and murder. And sex.
Loving it!
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I am rereading it too, and I am trying so hard to just let it wash over me. You aren’t supposed to remember who is related to whome or any of that, but I have a really hard time letting go of my logical chronological Western way of reading.
On Sun, Jan 31, 2021 at 4:05 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Not sure I’m going to be able to get to these (I’m supposed to be buddy reading another book with some friends this month), but I’m def intrigued and hopefully I can pick them up at some point this year.
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Shakuntala is really really fast, especially if you skip the flowery poems.
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I am so excited about these! Especially Shakuntala. I’m familiar with the story, and love the opening song (the ‘benediction to god’ bit) from the Marathi version of the play!
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Yaaaaaaay! I already reread Shakuntala, and it really holds up. Plus there are soooooooooooo many little things that show up later in movies, even stuff like him following her and watching her with two friends.
On Mon, Feb 1, 2021 at 1:10 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I might have to take my words back about the Siva purana – I was familiar with the Amar Chitra Katha version of these stories, but the original ones are so much more iffy!
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Yes! Sex sex sex sex sex! And bloodshed
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