How Ramayana travelled beyond India to Southeast Asia and inspired new versions

As audiences across the country have lined up to watch Ranbir Kapoorstarrer Ramayana Valmikis epic is a timeless work of art that has spawned several incarnations across India and abroad including Southeast AsiaWhile people in India are aware of the epics versions by Valmiki Goswami Tulsidas and Kamban the epic travelled hundreds of years ago across the sea and found a home in the mainland and islands of Southeast Asia as wellAccording to academic R K Mandal The spread of the Ramayana from India to Southeast Asia was closely tied to ancient trade and transportation routes sea travel religious proselytizing and diplomatic relations Sanskrit culture was spread by traders Brahmins Buddhist monks and scholars from India from early centuries of the Common Era to Cambodia Thailand Java Sumatra Laos and Myanmar Epics like the Ramayana also started playing an important role along with religion and political ideals in the transmission of cultureMandal notes that this transmission did not only lead to cultural imitation The Ramayana was adapted and modified by the societies in Southeast Asia In a number of kingdoms rulers employed the epic to validate their political power and divine kingship Acirc Rama became the embodiment of the perfect king one who had the virtue and moral control to bring order and welfare to society The use of Indian epics also helped to shape Indian court literature temple buildings dance forms and theatrical performances across Southeast AsiaThis is seen in the various versions of the region Ramakien Thailand Kakawin Ramayana Indonesia Reamker Cambodia Yama Zatdaw Myanmar Phra Lak Phra Ram Laos and the Hikayat Seri Rama MalaysiaFor example in the Thai version of Ramakien Hanuman is depicted as witty romantic and adventurous and not as a celibate devotee according to Mandal Cambodias Reamker meanwhile is a mix of Hindu mythology Buddhist ethical teachings and Khmer arts The Kakawin Ramayana the version prevalent in Java and Bali is a symbolic retelling of the epic using humour and philosophyIn the Lao version of Phra Lak Phra Lam Rama and Lakshman are understood as previous births of the Buddha and the significance of the story is in the concepts of compassion karmic interactions and righteous action not just divine battle says Mandal Myanmars Yama Zatdaw highlights the importance of loyalty righteousness and moral conductMandal notes that the Hikayat Seri Rama is one of the most interesting versions of the epic One of the most interesting cases of cultural change is the Malay version of the epic Hikayat Seri Rama The Ramayana got a new meaning in the Islamic literary landscape as Islam took over in the Malay world Theological elements were minimised in the Hindu religion while ethical and heroic themes were preserved Malay storytellers were able to weave in the local folklore and court traditions thus making the epic culturally relevant even in different religious times This adaptation is a good example of the versatility of the Ramayana as a cultural text that can cross religious linesThe Ramayanas of Southeast Asia thus show that the epic was and is capable of diffusing into nonIndian cultures while staying true to its core themesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever