Ramayana Unravelled (Lesser Known Facets of Rishi Valmiki's Epic)

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No epic has moved the consciousness of millions like the Ramayana. The appeal of the story of Rama is such that it has inspired the imagination of countless storytellers over the centuries, across the length and breadth of the subcontinent. From Jain poets to Bhavabhuti, from Kamban to Goswami Tulsidas, many have retold the Ramayana in their own language, infusing their own unique flavour.

Though the story of Rama is much loved and well-known, questions prevail. Ramayana Unravelled attempts to address some key concerns: How did his childhood and youth shape Rama? Why did Rama agree to go on vanvas was it only to obey his father or was there more to it? How was the relationship of Rama and Seeta? Is the Ramayana inherently misogynist, considering the characterisation of Seeta, Shurpanakha, Kaikeyi and Tara? What led to the downfall of Ravan?

Ami Ganatra takes the reader through the events of the Ramayana, resolving conundrums and underlining the reasons the epic continues to be cherished to this day.

No epic has moved the consciousness of a billion people like the Ramayana has. No person has invoked the kind of emotions in a billion people like Rama has. Ushering in Rama Rajya has been a romantic ideal cherished by us Bharatiyas since times immemorial. In the times of Mughal atrocities, when no cloud seemed to have a silver lining, the story of Rama narrated by our saints kept us going. It was the promise of Rama Rajya that rallied people behind Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle against the British for independence. When Yudhishthira was in vanvas, he was upset about destiny dealing him a raw hand. Rishi Märkandeya narrated to him the story of Rama, giving him hope that courage and perseverance will see him through the tough times.

Rama is an ideal son, a great friend, a king like no other, who, like most of us, had to undergo numerous trials and tribulations in life. But unlike most of us, he doesn't crib or complain; he toils through the challenges thrown at him by life and emerges victorious due to his valour, skill and resilience. The story of Rama's life has found resonance with people across the length and breadth of Bharatavarsha. So much so that wherever the people of this land went, they took Rama with them be it to Southeast Asia more than a thousand years ago, or to the Caribbean, around two hundred years ago.

In Thailand, the kings are referred to as Rama to this day. One of the provinces of Thailand is Ayutthaya, in memory of Ayodhya. In Java and Bali, folk culture and folk art have been significantly influenced by stories from the Ramayana. Performances based on the Ramayana continue to enthral Indonesians even today. In the islands of the Caribbean, people chanting Ramcharitmanas and Hanumana Chalisa are a common sight.

The appeal of the Ramayana is such that from the North to the South and from the East to the West, it has the imagination of innumerable poets and authors, and this is by no means a recent phenomenon. From Jain scholars to Bhavabhuti and Kamban to Goswami Tulsidas, many more have retold the story of the Ramayana in their own language, infusing their own unique flavour.

**Contents and Sample Pages**