21st Century Literature discussion

This thread is for any more detailed discussion of how the book relates to its Shakespearean source, and how successful you felt Taneja's adaptation of the story was. Expect spoilers.

Some of the Shakespearean equivalents/inspirations for the cast:
Devraj Bapuji - King Lear
Gargi - Goneril
Radha - Regan
Sita - Cordelia
Ranjit - Gloucester
Kritik - Kent
Jeet - Edgar
Jivan - Edmund
Surendra - Albany
Bubu - Cornwall

also:
Uppal - Oswald
Devraj’s Hundred - Lear’s hundred servants
Devraj's Mother - the Fool
Jeet as Rudra - Edgar as Poor Tom
Kashyap - Caius (but unlike in King Lear, this isn't Kent in disguise)

I initially assumed it would be a “loosely based on”. When it clicked that Jivan was Edmund I realized it was going to track a bit more closely. The mention of “Devraj’s Hundred” sealed the deal. I’d also been thinking of Jivan as playing the role of the outsider witness, but knowing he’s Edmund changes things considerably.

I’ve appreciated how some of the Lear details have been slipped in, such as Punj telling how Devraj quizzes his daughters on things like who loves the company more, and Jivan thinking how the hundred would listen to Devraj lecture on the greatness of the company and then get drunk and wild.

I had assumed Punj was The Fool, but I’’m only 10% in and Devraj’s mother hasn’t made an appearance.

I’m assuming that “Sita” was chosen for Cordelia as she is the always faithful and long-suffering companion (to someone who doesn’t deserve her fidelity, in some opinions) in The Ramayana.

Thanks Whitney - my knowledge of the Ramayana is very limited too.