Research papers presented in conferences on RamayanĐa of Valmiki.

Research papers presented in conferences on Ramayana of Valmiki.

This title was first published in 2003. Can a text be used either to validate or to invalidate contemporary understandings? Texts may be deemed 'sacred', but sacred to whom? Do conflicting understandings matter? Is it appropriate to try to offer a resolution? For Hindus and non-Hindus, in India and beyond, Valmiki is the poet-saint who composed the epic Rà mà yaõa. Yet for a vocal community of dalits (once called 'untouchables'), within and outside India, Valmiki is God. How then does one explain the popular story that he started out as an ignorant and violent bandit, attacking and killing travellers for material gain? And what happens when these two accounts, Valmiki as God and Valmiki as villain, are held simultaneously by two different religious groups, both contemporary, and both vocal? This situation came to a head with controversial demonstrations by the Valmiki community in Britain in 2000, giving rise to some searching questions which Julia Leslie now seeks to address.

In Indonesia, light skin color has been desirable throughout recorded history. Seeing Beauty, Sensing Race explores Indonesia’s changing beauty ideals and traces them to a number of influences: first to ninth-century India and some of the oldest surviving Indonesian literary works; then, a thousand years later, to the impact of Dutch colonialism and the wartime occupation of Japan; and finally, in the post-colonial period, to the popularity of American culture. The book shows how the transnational circulation of people, images, and ideas have shaped and shifted discourses and hierarchies of race, gender, skin color, and beauty in Indonesia. The author employs “affect” theories and feminist cultural studies as a lens through which to analyze a vast range of materials, including the Old Javanese epic poem Ramayana, archival materials, magazine advertisements, commercial products, and numerous interviews with Indonesian women. The book offers a rich repertoire of analytical and theoretical tools that allow readers to rethink issues of race and gender in a global context and understand how feelings and emotions—Western constructs as well as Indian, Javanese, and Indonesian notions such as rasa and malu—contribute to and are constitutive of transnational and gendered processes of racialization. Saraswati argues that it is how emotions come to be attached to certain objects and how they circulate that shape the “emotionscape” of white beauty in Indonesia. Her ground-breaking work is a nuanced theoretical exploration of the ways in which representations of beauty and the emotions they embody travel geographically and help shape attitudes and beliefs toward race and gender in a transnational world.

Contributed articles on the Ayodhya issue following December 6, 1992.

Welcome to this collection of writings dedicated to the vibrant world of stage plays and screen adaptations inspired by the timeless epic, Ramayana. Within these pages, we embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of theatrical and cinematic interpretations that have brought the story of Ramayana to life in captivating and transformative ways. Ramayana, attributed to the sage Valmiki, has enchanted audiences for centuries with its tale of love, heroism, and the triumph of good over evil. As a story deeply rooted in Indian mythology and cultural heritage, it has served as a wellspring of inspiration for playwrights, directors, and filmmakers around the world. The creative minds behind these adaptations have sought to capture the essence of Ramayana, reimagining its characters, themes, and moral dilemmas through the lens of their respective artistic mediums. In this collection, we delve into the diverse array of writings that examine Ramayana on the stage and screen. From theatrical performances that have captivated audiences through the time-honoured tradition of Ramlila, to cinematic adaptations that have embraced the epic's universal appeal, we explore the many ways in which Ramayana has been brought to life in dramatic and visually stunning forms. Through these writings, we gain insights into the artistic choices, narrative techniques, and cultural implications of stage plays and screen adaptations inspired by Ramayana. We examine the interplay between tradition and innovation, as directors and playwrights strive to honour the spirit of the epic while infusing their own creative visions. We explore the visual spectacle of Indian films that have embraced Ramayana's grandeur, the emotional depth of theater performances that have immersed audiences in the mythic world of Rama and Sita, and the intercultural dialogues that arise when Ramayana is reinterpreted in global contexts. Within these pages, you will find thoughtful analyses, historical perspectives, and personal reflections that shed light on the significance and impact of these artistic endeavours. We delve into the reception of these stage plays and screen adaptations, examining their resonance with audiences, their cultural reverberations, and the enduring legacy of Ramayana in the realm of performing arts. Whether you are an enthusiast of theater, a lover of cinema, or simply curious about the transformative power of storytelling, this collection invites you to explore the boundless creativity and interpretive possibilities that Ramayana has inspired. It celebrates the artists and their works, offering glimpses into the imaginative worlds they have crafted and the profound messages they have sought to convey. As you turn the pages and immerse yourself in the world of stage plays and screen adaptations of Ramayana, may you be captivated by the enduring magic of this epic tale and the indelible impact it continues to have on the realm of performance art.