• This photo feature showcases a Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Format is brief write-up about importance of Ramayana in Southeast Asia followed by pictures of ballet at Prambanan Shiv Temple in Indonesia.

Introduction

Imagine a figure who has been loved and worshipped by hundreds of millions of people, in many countries, for untold generations. A personality upon whom countless kings have modeled themselves on. A story which has been central to the culture of many countries, cutting across a spectrum of religions. An epic which has shaped the lives and daily behavior of millions and provided them an ethical framework on which to build their understanding of their duties in the world.

We are speaking of the Ramayana: one of the great stories of the world.

The story of the Ramayana is enacted more often than any other story of the world. It is performed by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. It is the most important cultural tradition of Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal and India. It has also been widely prevalent in Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The Ramayana is a great epic of ethics which teaches the values of life to men and women across South and South-East Asia. Scores of generations of children have watched these performances over 1,500 years, to learn the importance of an ethical life. This has been a cornerstone of the life of South and South-East Asia.

Many kings in these countries have taken the name of Rama, cities and islands have been named after persons and places in the epic. Symbols of Vishnu (whose incarnation is Rama) have been royal emblems across the region.

Now pictures and captions by Benoy K Behl. The last three pictures are of Bali, Indonesia with the fourth last being in a Museum. All others are from the Ramayana Ballet, Prambanan Temple (9^th century), Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

1. Rama and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.    

09      Rama and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.        

10      Death of Jatayu. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.      

11      Ravana and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.

12      Sita and Ravana in disguise. Photograph by Benoy K Behl         

13      Ravana and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.

14      Rama and Hanuman. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.         

15      Burning of Lanka. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.

16      Battle between Rama and Ravana. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.

17      Ravana being killed. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.

18      Rama and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl.        

19      Ravana, Wayang Shadow Puppet at Museum Wayang, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photograph by Benoy K Behl   

02      Statue of Bali. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. The island of Bali is named after the Ramayana character, Indonesia.

36      Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Bali, Indonesia.

37      Sita and Ravana. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Bali, Indonesia.

About the photographer- Benoy K Behl is a film-maker, art-historian and photographer who is known for his tireless and prolific output of work over the past 48 years. He has taken over 53,000 photographs of Asian monuments and art heritage, made 146 documentaries which are regularly screened at major cultural institutions worldwide. His photographic exhibitions have been warmly received in 74 countries around the world. He holds the Limca Book Record for being the most travelled photographer. 

This photo feature is in numerous parts. He has been assisted in the shooting and research by Sujata Chatterji.

To read all articles by author

Also read

1. Prambanan Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site

2. Prambanan Temple album