2017-04-05 Wed

The verses of the world’s greatest epic are throbbing in the essence of Indian peninsula since eons. The Ramayana which is commonly known was written in Sanskrit by Maharishi Valmiki. Did you know there are different versions of Ramayana throughout Asia in different languages and perspectives?

It is fascinating to know that there are approximately 300 variations and versions of Ramayana. The manifestation of the original Ramayana is at the core of these different versions; its essence is expressed in diverse arrays of regional culture and artistic mediums whose depth is hard to understand sometimes.

In Sanskrit besides Valmiki's Ramayana, there are other interpretations that take the primary account of the old version but focus more on their parallel perspectives and philosophical illustrations. They are known as ‘Adyatma Ramayana', ‘Vasistha Ramayana', ‘Laghu Yoga Vasistha', etc. There is also a brief version which appears in ‘Vishnu' and ‘Agni' Purana.

Ramayana is stylized in various interpretations of different regions in India. The few examples of these interpretations are Sri Ranganatha Ramayanam by Gona Budda Reddy, Andhra Pradesh; Kotha Ramayana, Assam; Krittivasi Ramayana, Bengal; Kardalipuri, Goa; etc. There is also Bhavartha Ramayan by Sant Eknath and Dandi Ramayan in Oriya.

This great epic is also illustrated in Jainism and Buddhism in Dasarata Jataka and Paumachariyam. Its influence has crossed the seas and reached the shore of different Southeast Asian countries. It is known as Reamker in Cambodia, Ramakavaca in Bali, Yogesvara Ramayana in Java, Phra Lak Phra Lam in Laos, Yama Zatdaw in Myanmar, Ramakien in Thailand, etc. It is also very popular in Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Bhutan. In Iran, it is called Dastan-e-Ram O Sita.

Ramayana is also portrayed through songs and dance-dramas. Mappilapattu in South India is a very popular musical interpretation of Ramayana. The Khmer dance in Lkhaon and the Yakshagana dance drama are the best examples of Ramayana in artistic themes.

Today this epic is narrated by many authors through different points of view. Many animated movies and comics are made for children to understand this greatest epic of the world.

To celebrate and respect this age old epic India Post and Indonesia Post has issued stamps with themes of Ramayana in 1970 and 1971.

Did you known Lord Rama and his consort Sita were also depicted on Vijayanagara Coins? They are also depicted on the temple tokens in India.

To know more about different versions of Ramayana click here.