• This is a photographic documentation of Ramayana performances in 10 countries presenting a pan-Asian perspective.

This is the first photographic documentation of Ramayana performances in ten countries. This tradition has been shared by billions of people across the centuries and has never before been presented in its pan-Asian perspective. 

The story of the Ramayana is enacted more often than any other story of the world. 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.

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

The film is made by distinguished cultural historian and film maker Benoy K Behl and is produced by the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

To see 26 minutes Video on Ramayana: A Shared Culture

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