Rais Yatim

The Sir Richard Burton's translation of Tales of a Thousand and One Nights opens the biggest vista for the English speaking world to intimately know the epical tales of Baghdad, Haroun al-Rashid as well as the intimate captivating story telling of Shahrazad, the beautiful daughter of a vizier whose life depended on her ability to narrate story after story up to 1001 nights until her killing Sultan spared he life. The captivating narratives of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Sindab the Sailor, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp have captured universal imagination. The many brazen sensual tales of lust and love and the numerous manly and womanly overtures make 1001 Nights an innate ability and talent to capture the raw instincts of humanity. The Tales of 1001 Nights catapults Arabian sensuality more than any other media. Its evocation through Hollywood, Bollywood not to mention plays and other extravaganzas go to make up the undying hunger for more. Burton's grasp and command of the Arabic language by itself is no small achievement. And his ability to faithfully depict the original Arabic nuances in romance adventure and sensuality to say the least must always go unhindered. Long live one of mankind's classics.