The Multivalence of an Epic: Retelling the Ramayana in South India and Southeast Asia

This volume explores the Rāmāyaṇa traditions of South India and Southeast Asia, highlighting their plurality, diversity, and adaptability in changing socio-political, religious, and cultural contexts. It discusses the regional Rāmāyaṇas, their connected pasts, and the way boundaries of medium and genre have been crossed in their visual, literary, and performed representations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the rich tapestry of Rāmāyaṇa traditions across South India and Southeast Asia, uniting the expertise of 19 esteemed scholars in the field of Rāmāyaṇa studies hailing from diverse countries such as Cambodia, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, and the USA. Through its thought-provoking and visually captivating content, this volume engages in a profound exploration of the inherent plurality, diversity, and adaptability of the Rāmāyaṇa as it navigates through changing socio-political, religious, and cultural contexts.

The book takes readers on a captivating journey to unravel the origins and localization of the Rāmāyaṇa, examining its manifold expressions across various mediums and time periods. From its classical roots to its folk iterations, from the grand temples and palaces to the bustling streets and by-lanes of cities and villages, and from ancient times to modern interpretations, the Rāmāyaṇa manifests itself in diverse ways, captivating audiences with its timeless narratives.

To facilitate a historically informed discussion of the interconnected pasts of regional Rāmāyaṇas across South India and Southeast Asia, the volume is organized into three parts: visual, literary, and performance cultures. Each part explores the sculpted, painted, inscribed, written, recited, and performed Rāmāyaṇas, highlighting the ways in which boundaries between mediums and genres have been blurred in the visual, literary, and performed representations of this ancient epic.

Through its multidisciplinary approach, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the Rāmāyaṇa's enduring legacy, shedding light on its historical, cultural, and religious significance in the regions it inhabits. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, providing a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of this ancient narrative and its profound impact on the world.

Weight: 848g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032599120