Art
- Readings from the Ramayana. Bhagavad gita Ramayana read by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan; Bhagavad gita read by Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan (Sanskrit) and Swami Nikhilananda (English). Introduction and text notes in English by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, with Sanskrit text ([8] p.) inserted in original container. Selections from Ramayana in Sanskrit; selections from Bhagavadgita in Sanskrit and English.
The Rama Epic by
This collection by the Asian Art Museum is a selection of works depicting the ancient Rama Epic. The Rama Epic--recounting the struggle of Prince Rama to defeat a demonic king, rescue his abducted wife, and reestablish order in the world--has been a subject for visual and performing arts, literature, and religious thought in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia for many centuries. A huge number of artworks relating to the Rama legends have been made over the course of 1500 years in a dozen countries. The Rama Epic: Hero, Heroine, Ally, Foe illustrates some of the most important episodes involving the four primary characters: the hero, Rama; the heroine, Rama's wife Sita; the ally, Rama's faithful monkey lieutenant Hanuman; and the foe, the ten-headed demon king Ravana.
ISBN: 9780939117772Publication Date: 2018-09-30
Academic Studies of the Ramayana
- The Ramayana Revisited by The Ramayana is one of India's foundational epics, and it demonstrates a continuing power to influence social, religious, cultural, and political life. Brought to textual life in Sanskrit by the legendary "first poet," Valmiki, over the ensuing centuries the tale has been recycled withextraordinary adaptability and diversity through the varied cultural heritages of India and other parts of Asia. The basic tale of the Ramayana is continually adapted to new contexts, forms, and media. It is read, recited, sung, danced, and acted in one form or another, and renewed so constantly bychanging times and values that it demands constant revaluation. The Ramayana Revisited presents the latest in Ramayana scholarship. Fourteen leading scholars examine the epic in its myriad contexts throughout South and Southeast Asia. They explore the role the narrative plays in societies as variedas India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. The essays also expand the understanding of the "text" to include non-verbal renditions of the epic, with particular attention to the complex ways such retellings change the way the narrative deals with gender. This volume will be invaluable to studentsand scholars interested in mythology, Hinduism, Asian studies, and anthropology.ISBN: 0195168321Publication Date: 2004-09-30
Performing the Ramayana traditions : enactments, interpretations, and arguments by
'Performing the Ramayana Tradition', edited by Ramayana scholar Paula Richman and Rustom Bharucha, scholar of Theater and Performance Studies, examines diverse retellings of the Ramayana narrative as interpreted and embodied through a spectrum of performances
Publication Date: 2021- Many Ramayanas by
Throughout Indian history, many authors and performers have produced, and many patrons have supported, diverse tellings of the story of the exiled prince Rama, who rescues his abducted wife by battling the demon king who has imprisoned her. The contributors to this volume focus on these "many" Ramayanas. While most scholars continue to rely on Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana as the authoritative version of the tale, the contributors to this volume do not. Their essays demonstrate the multivocal nature of the Ramayana by highlighting its variations according to historical period, political context, regional literary tradition, religious affiliation, intended audience, and genre. Socially marginal groups in Indian society--Telugu women, for example, or Untouchables from Madhya Pradesh--have recast the Rama story to reflect their own views of the world, while in other hands the epic has become the basis for teachings about spiritual liberation or the demand for political separatism. Historians of religion, scholars of South Asia, folklorists, cultural anthropologists--all will find here refreshing perspectives on this tale.
ISBN: 0520072812Publication Date: 1991-08-29
English Translations of the Ramayana
The Ramayana by
This selection from the great classic of Indian literature is the heroic tale of Prince Rama. The stories chief episodes are Rama's courtship of the youthful Sita, their exile, Sita's abduction, the search, and the great battle with Ravana, her abductor.
ISBN: 0140187006Publication Date: 1993-02-01
Ramayana by
Few works in world literature have inspired so vast an audience, in nations with radically different languages and cultures, as the Ramayana, written some 2,000 years ago by a poet known to us as Valmiki. William Buck has retold the story of Prince Rama--with all its nobility of spirit, courtly intrigue, heroic renunciation, fierce battles, and triumph of good over evil--in a length and style that makes the great Indian epic accessible without compromising the spirit and lyricism of the original. Stunningly illustrated with majestic imagery throughout, this 35th anniversary edition is a true collector's item.
ISBN: 9780520272989Publication Date: 2012-06-12- Ramayana by
From the kingdom of Ayodhya to the isle of Lanka, we are transported to a land that has inspired morality and spiritual tradition for thousands of years. On the eve if his enthronement, Rama, the beloved prince of Ayodhya, is banished to the forest as a result of a sinister plot. Along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, Rama accepts his destiny and departs as the kingdom mourns his loss. His exile, however, proves to have a deeper meaning as Rama becomes the protector of the forest sages and sparks the fury of Ravana, the seemingly invincible demon who terrorizes both humans and gods alike. In a vengeful act, Ravana kidnaps Sita, taking her across the ocean to Lanka. Now Rama, with the help of an army of monkeys, must fight to reclaim his dear bride and his honor.
ISBN: 1556708017Publication Date: 1995-01-01
The Ramayana in Sanskrit and other South Asian Languages
Ramayana Book One by ISBN: 0814731635Publication Date: 2005-02-01One of the great national epics of India that blends poetry and adventure to tell the origin story of the hero Rama Rama, the crown prince of the City of Ayodhya, is a model son and warrior. He is sent by his father the king to rescue a sage from persecution by demons, but must first kill a fearsome ogress. That done, he drives out the demons, restores peace, and attends a tournament in the neighboring city of Mithila; here he bends the bow that no other warrior can handle, winning the prize and the hand of Sita, the princess of Mithila. Valmíki's Ramáyana is one of the two great national epics of India, the source revered throughout South Asia as the original account of the career of Rama, ideal man and incarnation of the great god Vishnu. The first book, "Boyhood," introduces the young hero Rama and sets the scene for the adventures ahead. This is Book 1 out of 12. For more information on this series please do check out the IU catalogue
Adbhut Rāmāyaṇa by Call Number: PK3971.A3 A1995 2001Publication Date: 2001Ramayana in Sanskrit, Hindi, and English.
Ramayana Retellings and Adaptations
The Forest of Enchantments by
''One of the most strikingly lyrical voices writing about the lives of Indian women'' -- Amitav Ghosh ''Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni turns the Ramayana around by telling it in the voice of Sita ... this inversion is a gift - it presents us a with a way to know an already well-known story better and to love an already beloved story more'' -- Arshia Sattar ''This inspired evocation of the goddess Sita is an epic song of strength and solidarity told with joy and intensity. It brings to life the personalities and predicaments of the Ramayana'' -- Namita Gokhale ''Among the many, many Ramayanas there are now even - thankfully - some "Sitayanas", but I know of none with the special magic that Chitra Divakaruni ... brings to the telling'' -- Philip Lutgendorf ''Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni''s Sita ... is an epitome of courage and self-respect, showing a path for all women. While weaving a familiar story, Chitra provides deep and surprising insights'' -- Volga ''An incomparable storyteller'' -- Denver Post ''Divakaruni''s stories are irresistible'' -- The New York Times Book Review ''Divakaruni''s storytelling talents put her right up there with the best'' -- Miami Herald ''In recasting the Ramayan as a love story Divakaruni accords Sita parity with Ram, revealing her innate strength. By giving primacy to her thoughts and feelings this also becomes the private tale of Shri and Shrimati Ramchandra Raghuvanshi, two wonderful people who loved each other but who broke up. To readers well-acquainted with that tragedy of modern times, the failed marriage, it will appeal. The ending, however, surpasses all expectations.'' -- The Sunday Standard ''The success of both The Palace Of Illusions and The Forest Of Enchantments hinges acutely on the skill with which Divakaruni deploys the narratorial voice.'' -- Mint ''The Forest of Enchantments is one of the simplest and most beautiful retellings of Sage Valmiki''s epic.'' -- Jetwings ''Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni does justice to the women of Ramayana ... The Forest of Enchantments is not just a retelling of a much-told epic, rather it is a book that tells it like it is - balanced and non-judgmental.'' -- Huffpost '' A work ... of pluralities and possibilities ... This is the Sitayan we will give to our daughters, that they may imbibe Sita''s strength, and even more proudly to our sons, who will learn how a woman is to be treated'' -- The Wire ''Banerjee is markedly feminist ... Her spin on the most pivotal moment of Sita''s life, the agnipariksha episode, is a moment of feminist brilliance. Her Sita answers all the questions we would have had when listening to the Ramayana while leaving us with plenty of food for thought.'' -- The New Indian Express ''Divakaruni''s retelling reminds her readers that the Ramayana, besides being a morality tale, is a love story at its heart'' -- Huffpost ''Divakaruni and her women characters are a formidable pair'' -- The Wire The Ramayana, one of the world''s greatest epics, is also a tragic love story. In this brilliant retelling, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni places Sita at the centre of the novel: this is Sita''s version. The Forest of Enchantments is also a very human story of some of the other women in the epic, often misunderstood and relegated to the margins: Kaikeyi, Surpanakha, Mandodari. A powerful comment on duty, betrayal, infidelity and honour, it is also about women''s struggle to retain autonomy in a world that privileges men, as Chitra transforms an ancient story into a gripping, contemporary battle of wills. While the Ramayana resonates even today, she makes it more relevant than ever, in the underlying questions in the novel: How should women be treated by their loved ones? What are their rights in a relationship? When does a woman need to stand up and say, ''Enough!''
ISBN: 9789353025984Publication Date: 2019-08-20- Ramayana Stories in Modern South India by While some religious texts may remain static over time, the Ramayana epic has been retold in a variety of ways over the centuries and across South Asia. Some of the narrative's most probing and innovative retellings have appeared in print in the last 100 years in the region of South India. This collection brings together, for the first time, modern retellings translated from the four major South Indian languages and from genres as diverse as drama, short stories, poetry, and folk song. The selections focus on characters generally seen as stigmatized or marginalized, and on themes largely overlooked in previous scholarship. Editor Paula Richman demonstrates that twentieth-century authors have used retellings of the Ramayana to question caste and gender inequality in provocative ways. This engaging anthology includes translations of 22 primary texts along with interpretive essays that provide background and frameworks for understanding the stories.ISBN: 9780253349880Publication Date: 2008-03-06
Sita by
It is significant that the only character in Hindu mythology, a king at that, to be given the title of ekam-patni-vrata, devoted to a single wife, is associated with the most unjust act of abandoning her in the forest to protect family reputation. This seems a deliberate souring of the narrative, made even more complex by Ram's refusal to remarry despite the pressure on royalty to produce an heir. The intention seems to be to provoke thought on notions of fidelity, property and self-image. And so mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattanaik narrates the Ramayan, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in their own unique way. This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita--her childhood with her father, Janak, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.
ISBN: 9780143064329Publication Date: 2013-10-21
Sita's Ramayana by
The Ramayana is an epic poem by the Hindu sage Valmiki, written in ancient Sanskrit sometime after 300 BC. It is an allegorical story that contains important Hindu teachings, and it has had great influence on Indian life and culture over the centuries. Children are often encouraged to emulate the virtues of the two main characters -- Rama and Sita. The Ramayana is frequently performed as theater or dance, and two Indian festivals -- Dussehra and Divali -- celebrate events in the story. This version of The Ramayana is told from the perspective of Sita, the queen. After she, her husband Rama and his brother are exiled from their kingdom, Sita is captured by the proud and arrogant king Ravana and imprisoned in a garden across the ocean. Ravana never stops trying to convince Sita to be his wife, but she steadfastly refuses his advances. Eventually Rama comes to her rescue with the help of the monkey Hanuman and his army. But Rama feels he can't trust Sita again. He forces Sita to undergo an ordeal by fire to prove herself to be true and pure. She is shocked and in grief and anger does so. She emerges unscathed and they return home to their kingdom as king and queen. However, suspicion haunts their relationship, and Sita once more finds herself in the forest, but this time she is pregnant. She has twins and continues to live in the forest with them. The story is exciting and dramatic, with many turns of plot. Magic animals, snakes, divine gods, demons, sorcerers and a vast cast of characters all play a part in the fierce battles fought to win Sita back. And in the process the story explores ideas of right vs. wrong, compassion, loyalty, trust, honor and the terrible price of war.
ISBN: 9781554981458Publication Date: 2011-09-27
Ramayana Retold: Video/Visual
- Rāmāyaṇa (Television program) Hindi with English Subtitles. Television series telecast 1986-1988 on the life of Rāma, Hindu deity, based on Ram charit manas by Goswami Tulsidas and Valmiki Ramaayan. Other sources used: Kam Ramayan / Maharisi Kamber (Tamal) ; Bhavarth Ramayan / Sant Eknath (Marathi) ; Krutivas Ramayan / Mahakavi Krutivas Oza (Bengali) ; Shri Rangnath Ramayan / Shri Gonbudh Reddy (Telugu) ; Ramchadra Charit Puranam / Abhinvav Pump Nagchandra (Kannada) ; Adhyatma Ramayan / Tunvatt Eluttachian (Malyalam) ; Chakbast (Urdu) ; and Radheysham Ramayan (Hindi).
- Sita sings the blues An animated reinterpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana blends the stories of Sita, a goddess separated from her husband Rama, and Nina, an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Set to the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw.