Several Indian publishers such as Tiny Tots, Rohan Book Co and Shanti Children’s Books have also published their own versions of the Ramayan. There are also separate titles on Hanuman, Kumbhakarana, Vali and The Lord of Lanka. ‘The Sons of Rama’ takes on the story from that point and continues till Sita returns to the Earth and Luv and Kusha go to Ayodhya with Rama. ‘Valmiki’s Ramayana’ is more in-depth covering the entire story from Dasharatha’s prayers for a child to Rama’s return to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana. ‘Rama’ begins the story with the princes in their youth, sent to protect Sage Vishwamitra from rakshas attacks and continues till Rama wins the battle against Ravan and returns to Ayodhya with Sita.
Ramayan book series#
This series keeps the storyline non-judgemental, taming down violence and controversial passages and remains the best start to reading the epic for a child of any age. The brief text has been edited perfectly to relate the entire story in a simple and comprehensive manner. I don’t know how many times I must have read these books as a child but found myself turning page after page enthusiastically, gazing at the familiar illustrations yet again.
I revisited three Ramayan related titles from Amar Chitra Katha – Valmiki’s Ramayana, Rama and The Sons of Rama. For so many of us, these lovable comics have been our first step into mythology and folk tales. I’ll start with the old favourites, Amar Chitra Katha. But what about reading the story themselves? This Diwali season, I set out in search for the best books based on the Ramayana for our children and was amazed to see so many versions available in the bookstores. Most of our children have heard the story, probably know some episodes in detail and are familiar with the chief characters. The essays also expand the understanding of the “text” to include non-verbal renditions of the epic, with particular attention to the complex ways such retellings change the way the narrative deals with gender.A story retold from generation to generation, the Ramayana remains a compelling read thanks to the numerous layers, characters and the dramatic twists and turns. It explores the role the narrative plays in societies as varied as India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. This book examines the epic in its myriad contexts throughout South and Southeast Asia. Yet the vast majority of scholarship on the Rāmāyana has dealt exclusively with the textual editions, and mainly with Valmiki's Sanskrit version. It is, in one form or another, read, recited, sung, danced, and acted.
In addition, the basic tale of the Rāmāyana is continually adapted to new contexts, forms, and media. Many regions and languages have their own versions of the tale that they consider authoritative. While the “standard” version of the Rāmāyana is a 14th-century Sanskrit text by Valmiki, the diversity and adaptability of this narrative are extraordinary.