Masala Shakespeare by Jonathan Gil Harris [Hardcover]

Masala Shakespeare by Jonathan Gil Harris examines the connections between Shakespeare’s works and Indian cultural forms, particularly the masala genre. The term masala signifies a mixture of cultural influences, both literal (spices) and metaphorical (storytelling and art). Harris argues that the masala movie, a style prevalent in Indian cinema, reflects the plural, diverse nature of Indian society, celebrating contradictions and hybridity. The book explores twelve of Shakespeare's plays, showing how their Indian adaptations—ranging from films like Omkara and Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram-Leela to plays like Piya Behrupiya—transform the original texts, reflecting the eclectic, multifaceted spirit of contemporary India.