Different Versions of the Ramayana around the World

The original Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki. There are numerous other versions of the Valmiki Ramayana in India and around the world, especially in Southeast Asia. Most of the different versions around the world stick to the main theme but have unique characteristics and a regional flare.

Tibetan translation of the Ramayana was made in the 8th or 9th century and this is one of the earliest translations of the Ramayana made in the ancient Tibetan script of Tubo.

Chinese Buddhist sutras also contain fragments of the Ramayana.

In Indonesia, the Ramayana epic was written in the Old Javanese language around the 8th or 9th century and entitled Ramayana Kakawin.

In Laos, the two popular versions of Ramayana are Phra Lak Phra Lam and Gvay Dvorahbi.

In Thailand, the popular Thai version of the epic is known as Ramakien which dates back to the 13th century.

In Cambodia, the story of Lord Ram is The Reamkher.

In Persia, it is the Dastan-e-Ram O Sita and Razmnama.

In Nepal, it is the Nepali Sundarananda Ramayana and Adarsha Raghava.

In Sri Lanka, it is the Janakiharan.

During the 19th and 20th century, the Ramayana has been translated into various important languages around the world. Then there are also the numerous Indian regional versions of the Ramayana.

Please note that this list is incomplete as there are more versions of this immortal epic around the world. So this list will keep expanding.



1 comments:

Nontuk said...

Greetings,
Interesting website, and informative too. However, it is sad to say that although it is regarded as a Thai masterpiece, very few Thais have actually read this epic from cover to cover. This is because the original version was written mainly with an abundance of ‘court language’ and archaic terminology that few could understand or interpret, so to make sense of it, a dictionary would have to be frequently used. Although it was compulsory for students to study the story from grades 7 to 12, it was much like westerners having to study Chaucer or Shakespeare at school. So few in actual fact know of this very interesting story.

Likewise, when I went around the Temple of the Emerald Buddha taking the pictures for my book, it was clear that most of the guides didn't know the story either (I also speak Thai fluently). I wonder how they got the job??? But certainly, it doesn't do any service to the tourists visiting the beautiful Ramakian story murals there.

Anyway, In case any of your Western friends are interested to know more about this great epic - please direct them to my website ... www.theramakian.com where they can order the book.
Have a great day,
John Ellis

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