{Sanjay Patel. Ramayana: Divine Loophole. Chronicle Books 2010. $29.95}

Reviewed by J. Ryan Parker

Lost in the never-ending debates about biblical inerrancy and infallibility is the recognition of the Bible’s worth as a great work of literature. Lost is the focus on how it has inspired countless translations and interpretations, both written and visual. If anything, we should at least be able to agree that it and other sacred texts of the world’s major religions are works of immeasurable literary value that have stood the test of time and will most likely endure, in one form or another, until the end of time.

Artists have attempted to tell the Hebrew/Christian mythology through a variety of media and some have succeeded better than others. Of course, looming behind all such work is the Divine proscription against the production of graven images. Muslim artists are bound by a much stricter prohibition, which is why we never see images of Allah or Muhammad and why Muslims are so outraged at satirical images of them. Thankfully, Hindus, to my knowledge, have not had to reckon with such theological speed bumps and have created beautiful works of art inspired by their sacred texts, which have also increasingly permeated popular culture. One of the more recent examples of this is Sanjay Patel‘s latest book, Ramayana:  Divine Loophole, a visually stunning re-telling of one of the most famous sacred stories of all time. [Read more...]