Ramayana: Encyclopedia II - Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana

Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana

Valmiki's Ramayana inspired the Sri Ramacharit Manas by Tulasidas, an epic Hindi version with a slant more grounded in a different realm of Hindu literature, that of bhakti. It is an acknowledged masterpiece of India. A similar work was done by Kamban as Kambaramayanam in Tamil. Contemporary versions of the Ramayana include Shri Ramayana Darshanam by Dr.K.V.Puttappa in Kannada and Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. The modern Indian author Ashok Banker has so far written a series of six English language novels based on the Ramayana.

Additionally, the Gaiety Railway Theatre Company of Kanchipuram has presented revisionist views of this epic, seeking to restore the pride of the Dravidian people. These versions of the Ramayana diverge sharply from traditional presentations, with Ravana portrayed as a statesman scholar with whom Sita was infatuated, and Rama as a playboy prince with little application or dedication, who ordered massive genocide on a drunken whim. Such characterisations are part of a latent and increasing attempt by southern Indians to reassert their culture and independence. This is an interesting example of one culture using another culture's legends against it.

Many other Asian cultures have adapted the Ramayana, resulting in other national epics. These include the Kakawin Ramayana of Java, Indonesia, Ramakavaca of Bali, Hikayat Seri Rama of Malaysia, Maradia Lawana of the Philippines, Ramakien of Thailand, to be witnessed in elaborate illustration at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, the Reamker of Cambodia, the Yama Zatdaw of Myanmar, and the Pra Lak Pra Lam of Laos.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Literary works inspired by the Ramayana", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki