COVER STORY
The character of Raavan has resisted the imposition of a singular narrative of him
Outlook Magazine - 21 October 2024
Raavan Leela
Will the competing images of Ram and Raavan influence India’s political future?
With many groups challenging the tradition of burning Raavan’s effigies, an interesting counter-narrative emerges
The ordinary Tamil carries the image of Raavan as an extraordinarily accomplished person coming to an inglorious end because of his irrational passion for a woman who detests him
Rejecting the notion of Raavan as a villain signifies a persistent need to challenge the dominant narrative while remaining part of it
The Asurs in Jharkhand, who hold Raavan and Mahishasur in high regard, have been protesting against burning their effigies
In some strands of Gond folk history, Raven is an administrative post similar to MLAs and MPs of modern-age democracy
Those who have come on stage to enact the king who abducted Sita perhaps know that the legacy of Raavan extends more than what a stage or a performance can hold
In Sri Lanka, there is no mythological version of the Ramayana. Raavan’s world was more than that
Will the competing images of Ram and Raavan influence India’s political future?
With many groups challenging the tradition of burning Raavan’s effigies, an interesting counter-narrative emerges
The ordinary Tamil carries the image of Raavan as an extraordinarily accomplished person coming to an inglorious end because of his irrational passion for a woman who detests him
Rejecting the notion of Raavan as a villain signifies a persistent need to challenge the dominant narrative while remaining part of it
The Asurs in Jharkhand, who hold Raavan and Mahishasur in high regard, have been protesting against burning their effigies
In some strands of Gond folk history, Raven is an administrative post similar to MLAs and MPs of modern-age democracy
Those who have come on stage to enact the king who abducted Sita perhaps know that the legacy of Raavan extends more than what a stage or a performance can hold
A poem by Meera Nair
In Sri Lanka, there is no mythological version of the Ramayana. Raavan’s world was more than that
OTHER STORIES
As Raavan lay dying, Ram told Lakshman to learn from his defeats. Ram hailed him a great scholar and said there is no enemy or enmity when the war is over
Ashutosh Rana speaks to Outlook on his performance as Raavan in Humare Ram
In Mandore, a desert town, the loss of a son-in-law has survived all jubilation over the narrative of good over evil. The town still mourns the killing of Raavan.
The personification of Raavan as a Dravidian king and a symbol of resistance plays a vital role in Tamil Nadu’s political history
Inspired by the 12th-century Kamba Ramayanam by Tamil poet Kamban, Valmiki’s Ramayana and Shashi Raj Kavoor’s play Ekadashanana, a dance performance boldly challenges the traditional portrayal of Raavan.
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister-in-waiting of J&K, knows the burden of this victory and what lies ahead for the region
The Haryana poll results also mark the end of dynasty politics in Haryana.
Rata Tata was known in the industry circuit as a reserved, humble and private person who did not like to display his wealth or power, cared for the company’s employees, was an ardent animal lover and was also known to be a man of steely resolve.
