Ramayana in Sri Lanka

This photo feature showcases performances of Ramayana in Sri Lanka and comes after similar features on Ramayana in Indonesia and Thailand.

The first in this series was Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple, Indonesia. The second was Ramayana in Thailand. This one is on Sri Lanka. You can also read article Ramayana in Cambodia and Hindu Deities Worshipped in Japan

Format is brief write-up about importance of Ramayana in Southeast Asia.

Introduction

The story of the great epic Ramayana is fascinating and very simple. It centers on Rama the Prince of Ayodhya in India. He is exiled by his father and sent to the forest for 14 years. His faithful wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana follow him to the forest, where they live. Sita is tricked and abducted by the powerful and evil King Ravana. He takes her off to Lanka and keeps her in captivity there.

Rama searches for Sita and becomes friends with the powerful monkey leader Hanuman. Together, with an army of monkeys, they go to Lanka to rescue her. Ravana is killed and Sita is brought back. That is the essential outline of the story. The focus is on 4 of the principal characters, who continue to fascinate people till today. Rama, his wife Sita, the great monkey warrior Hanuman and Ravana, the arrogant and ruthless king who abducts Sita. They are characters who dominate the imagination of vast populations.

The Ramayana has been a most popular story told to little children by grandparents across South and South East Asia. Puppets and shadow puppets have been used to tell this tale. Some of the finest paintings, sculptures and reliefs across Asia have been based on the Ramayana.

From ancient times to the present day, the Ramayana has been the best-known story of billions of people. It is found today in comic books and in the most-watched TV serials of the region.

The Ramayana portrays ethics in life, family values and even ethical rule by sovereigns. Till today, the Asian people speak about being guided by the Ramayana characters in their daily life.

Now pictures and captions by Benoy K Behl.

Battle of Rama and Ravana. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Aru Sri Art Theatre, Sri Lanka.

Ravana Defeated. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Aru Sri Art Theatre, Sri Lanka.

Victorious Rama. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Aru Sri Art Theatre, Sri Lanka.

Rama and Sita. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Malya Raja Shanthiya, Sri Lanka.

Rama. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Malya Raja Shanthiya, Sri Lanka.

Sita and others. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Malya Raja Shanthiya, Sri Lanka.

Dancers. Photograph by Benoy K Behl. Malya Raja Shanthiya, Sri Lanka.

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.

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To see all albums on Sri Lanka

The Best of Sri Lanka in 12 days

Also read

1. Ramayana in Southeast Asia