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Ramayan aka Ramayana is considered as one of the wisest book which guides human beings to the ideal life. Primarily it is Ram-Ayana – the tale of Ram (or Lord Rama), though it covers a wide spectrum of various aspects of life, society, psychology, love, hate, friendship, war and more…
The traces of Ramayana is found spread over various countries apart from Bharat – The Republic of India. It shows not only the popularity of the tale but also the depth and quality of the same which attracts human being towards the same. The references of the same are mentioned by various historians, archeologists and researchers of various countries.
The episode start with a small dramatic representation of the incident when Valmiki (the author or Ramayana) saw a hunter killing one of a pair of love birds who were mating. The feeling of sadness and humanity makes him some words which came directly from his heart and later he (Valmiki) realizes that he created a verse. He also realized that without true feelings of humanity, there is no possibility to have great creations like poetry.
If we look at the broad aspect, Ramayana of course elaborates various problems we face, but it sends the message of brotherhood, peace, love and there is undeniable sweetness implanted in this great poetry. The bond of friendship is explored at its best in this tale. It shows how the people from two very different background can be friends and how one can selflessly do good stuff for the other (via the friendship between Ram-Hanuman). The bond between all four brothers Ram-Bharat-Laxman-Shatrughna is an example of ideal relationship between brothers. The dilemma of Dashrath and his love for all his queens and sons shows some domestic problems and its routes. The character of Manthara also shows there if there is a small hole of vulnerability is there inside you or your relationship with someone, others can make you do something you shouldn’t
Pt. Nehru also refer the quote by Rabindranath Tagore, that it would be wrong to consider Ramayana and Mahabharata as just poetry. There is a philosophy lies in each incident mentioned in the same, and most importantly, it can be fit in any era. We see similar incidents even today and may be in the future as well. This tale definitely represents how great lives can be lived, how great values can be preserved and how great mistakes can prove fatal (and hence needs to be avoided).
From the content of the episode it seems that Pt. Nehru was more impressed by the philosophy lies within the Ramayana.
This episode doesn’t follow the conventional path while representing the events from this epic. We see various folk-representer of Ramayana delivering the performance in first half of the episode. We also see the incidents where Ram and Sita were found a perfect match for each other as they understand each other thoroughly. The metaphor of wearing the simple cloths (which usually tribal people – living in the jungle wears) wore by Sita plays an indicator of what is coming next (to them). Awaiting the declaration of Ram as the crown prince, not only Sita, but entire Ayodhya got a shock when it was declared that Ram was rather presented a gift(!) to live in the jungle for 14 years (in some versions of the epic – it is the period of 12 years) and Bharat was declared as the new crown prince and the successor of Dashrath!
The episode sees some poor acting (Eg. from the actor playing Valmiki) and great acting both.The simple representation of the epic is more effective (and seems near to the realities – especially as per the mythology).
The background music is up-to-the mark. You may want to take a detailed look at the furniture shown in the episode. The ornaments, clothing etc. shown in this episode is also interesting to look at. Even the cloths Ram-Sita-Laxman wears when they leave the palace are quite different than whatever you have seen in other TV serial exploring the same saga.
The reference to the famous play – PratimaNatakam – is also explored in this episode. The cloths all the three queens wear after their husband – Dashrath – is dead are also interesting to look at. You usually have seen white cloths for them.
Sets are not larger than the life, which we usually see when Ramayana is explored on celluloid; but they seem more of real.
Overall it is a nice episode to go for.
