KJV (Bible)and Shakespeare

 This is the 400th year of the publication of Kings James version of the Bible popularly known as KJV which was published in 1611. One of our library members a westerner who wears Indian kurtas and looks like an ISCKON follower wanted to know whether the library was celebrating the landmark year in any manner. He pointed out that KJV was not just a religious text it was a work of literature and known for its immense influence on English literary culture. He spoke about KJV and Shakespeare and the many references in Shakespeare’s works. As he recited a few lines it was wonderful to hear the beautiful archaic language and the lyricism of the verses in his native accent.


However the fact remains that since the bard was dead by 1616 it was obvious that he had composed most of his work well before KJV was published. Yet the myth lives on and inspires people to make confident wishful observations publicly. As I listened to the gentleman’s assertion about the close relation between KJV and Shakespeare I tried to recollect if I had ever heard anything similar in the past while attending lectures by our veteran professors . I drew a blank. I did not find any scholarly references justifying the allusion either.

KJV can be read just for the sheer beauty of its language. The 1611 version has a later (1769) translation which is easier to read.

An excerpt from the 1611 version

“And all flesh died, that mooued vpon the earth, both of fowle, & of cattell, and of beast, and of euery creeping thing that creepeth vpon the earth, and euery man.

22 All in whose nosethrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.

23 And euery liuing substance was destroyed, which was vpon the face of the ground, both man and cattell, and the creeping things, and the foule of the heauen; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah onely remained aliue, and they that were with him in the Arke.

24 And the waters preuailed vpon the earth, an hundred and fifty dayes.”

And its 1769 version

“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

22 All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, of all that [was] in the dry [land], died.

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.”

(Ref : http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-7/ )

The richness of KJV as an artisitic composition speaks volumes about the talent of the brilliant scholars and translators of the times who were responsible for completing  the work which is believed to be a very close translation from the Hebrew original.It is a coincidence that they belonged to the same era which had also produced a genius like Shakespeare.

The Uncle’s Story by Witi Ihimaera and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and Gay writing

Having spent most of my work life in an extremely open and diverse organisational culture I have met n number of colleagues and contacts who led happy lives with same sex partners.I have seen old men pining for their young boyfriends like lovesick teenagers , mature women with wives to manage their homes while they were busy outside . So the rainbow world is not new or strange to me. Yet when it comes to reading books or viewing movies on LGBT themes I am not comfortable. In fact most of the time if I know that there is any trace of LGBT element in a work I prefer to ignore it. In spite of my preferences I must say the two books in discussion will definitely be amongst the top favourite books in my reading list. I had picked up the books at random while browsing through the library racks and had no inkling what the writers had to say. I liked the style while reading the first few pages and decided to read them in full. There was no looking back and I simply loved the stories.

Hei runga, hei raro ! hii haa, hii haa – the karanga the ritual call of Maori women strikes a magical chord in my imagination .I am instantly transported to a world which I can only conjure up in my dreams. The sons are all getting ready to leave for the battlefield as their proud families look on. It reminds me of my ancestors and the songs that Sylheti women sang during various rituals with some lovely dancing . The singing and dancing can still be witnessed in rural Sylhet in Bangladesh. It also reminds me of scenes of tribal dancing and singing witnessed during my childhood days in Jharkhand. Human behaviour is so similar in all cultures.


Witi Ihimaera is an award winning Maori novelist .His publishers describe him as the first Maori novelist. The Uncle’s story is a beautiful and passionate tale of love and longing, of Maori masculinity and Maori beliefs and life. It is also a story of two generations of Maori men. I am not particularly receptive to LGBT themes but Sam and Harper’s love is so poignant and so romantic that you tend to overlook the gender of the characters and what lingers is the overwhelming beauty of love that touches your heart to the core. Sam is heterosexual and later marries and leads a regular life. Uncle Sam’s story made me realise that love in its purest form is truly spiritual. This is definitely one of my most memorable reads.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witi_Ihimaera )

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a brilliant thriller set in a Victorian background. The narrative and story telling is superb. The turn of incidents keeps you hooked throughout the novel. Same sex relationship is treated in a most subtle and sensitive manner which does not intrude upon the central theme of the book.

Follow the link for the full story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingersmith_(novel)


I am happy that I began with ignorance and emerged with a wealth of knowledge. If I had started with prior knowledge of the content of the books my prejudice would have stopped me from discovering such treasures. I would definitely be the loser.

Shame by Salman Rushdie

Many people find Rushdie unreadable including my pretty colleague who is herself a seasoned librarian and manages our popular reading group . I am sure the group has never thought of trying Rushdie. My first serious attempt at reading Rushdie was “Shame”.Shame is not his lead composition though .Rushdie has an interesting and baffling style. One sentence had over 150 words and one had just two. There are words like “peregrinations” “antediluvian” “imprecations”  “simulacrum” which will make you wonder whether you are reading the novel or the dictionary which you need to consult every now and then. But I loved the expressions “death-encrusted words” “foulmouthed death” “philistine transience” “kiss-lipped boy”, “ectoplasmic arms”. I think Rushdie gradually grows on you and fascinates you.


The fat Omar Khayyam, fatter than fifty melons at the age of eighteen and who becomes a doctor, is a lovable character. He is brought up by three mothers with no trace of a father anywhere and even no mention of who is the biological mother of the three. He marries Sufiya who is thirty one years junior to him. It is a completely fictional world but details of life of an imaginary country are very close to reality. It is a delightful world with all its profanities, purities, scandals, heartbreaks, love, political coups and military Generals. The story telling keeps you engaged throughout and I find the style unique. Enjoyable if you can manage to get involved with the narrative.



http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/book-of-a-lifetime-shame-salman-rushdie-798708.html
http://www.amazon.com/Shame-Novel-Salman-Rushdie/dp/0812976703