Many, not one Ramyana

Context: In Ganga River basin the pivotal Ramayana narrative is the 16th-century Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas, written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the existence of numerous Ramayanas beyond the Hindi belt, crafted over the last 2,000 years, each deserving equal respect.

Introduction:

• Multiple versions of the Indian Hindu epic poem, the Ramayana, are known to exist.
• The oldest among them is widely acknowledged to be the Sanskrit version known as the Mula Ramayana, attributed to the sage Narada.
• Narada passed down this knowledge to Valmiki, who then authored the Valmiki Ramayana, which is currently considered the oldest available version of the epic.
• The core themes of the original Ramayana transcend linguistic boundaries, finding expression in diverse regional cultures and artistic forms.

Influences:

1. Portrayal of the epic in the Lkhaon Khmer dance theatre in Cambodia.
2. Ramanattam and Kathakali of Kerala.
3. Mappila Songs of the Muslims in Kerala and Lakshadweep.
4. Indian dance tradition of Yakshagana, Karnataka. 
5. Paintings adorning the walls of Thailand's Wat Phra Kaew palace temple.
6. In Indonesia, the Ramayana tales are reflected in traditional dance performances such as Sendratari Ramayana and Kecak.

Diverse adaptations of the Ramayana, each reflecting unique cultural perspectives:

• Andhra Pradesh:
  • Sri Ranganatha Ramayanam by Gona Budda Reddy (1300-1310 CE). 
  • Srimadramayana Kalpavrikshamu by Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana, awarded the first Jnanpith award in Telugu.
• Assam: Assamese Saptakanda Ramayana by Madhava Kandali (14th century).
• Bengal:
  • Krittivasi Ramayan by Krittibas Ojha (15th century). 
  • Ramananda Ghosh's 18th-century translation depicted Rama as an avatar of Buddha; 
• Odisha:
  • The 15th-century Odia Dandi Ramayana mentions Ram enjoying mangoes provided by a tribal woman, later transforming into the widely known story of Shabari's berries in the 18th-century Bhakti-rasa-prabodhini.
• Bihar:
  • Mithila Bhasha Ramayana by Chanda Jha. 
  • Rameshwar Charit Mithila by Lal Das.
• Gujarat: Tulsi-Krta Ramayana, a Gujarati adaptation by Premanand Swami (17th century).
• Karnataka:
  • Kumudendu Ramayana (Jain version)
  • Ramachandra Charita Purana by Nagachandra (12th century).
• Kerala:
  • Ramacharitam, based on Yuddha Kanda, by Cheeraman (12th century);
  • Mappila Ramayanam among the Muslims.
• Maharashtra: Bhavartha Ramayana by Sant Eknath (16th century).
• Uttar Pradesh (Awadh): Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas (16th century).
• Tamil Nadu:
  • Kamba Ramayanam by poet Kamban (12th century), a popular Tamil version.
  • 7th-century Tamil songs of Alwar poet-saints portray Ram playfully trying to straighten Manthara's humped back as a child.
• Persian: A Persian version commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1558–1590, known as the Ramayana of Akbar.
• Urdu: An Urdu version called the Pothi Ramayana was written in 1776.

Versions in Other Indian Religions:

• Jainism:
  • Paumachariyam, a Jain version, asserts that all characters in the Ramayana were mere mortals.
  • Characters depicted as Jains; Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit Jain pilgrimage sites. 
  • Ravana is not killed by Rama in the Jain version.
• Buddhist Version of Ramayana:
  • Dasharatha was king of Benares, not Ayodhya.
  • This version does not feature Sita's kidnapping or the Ram-Ravan war.
  • Dasarata Jataka, notable for regarding Rama as a bodhisattva.
  • Characters in the Ramayana are considered mere mortals in conflict over moral issues.
• Sikh Version:
  • Mention of two sorts of Ramayana in the highest Sikh text.
  • Spiritual Ramayana in Guru Granth Sahib, where Ravana represents ego, Sita represents intellect, Rama represents the inner Self, and Laxman represents attention. 
  • Guru Granth Sahib acknowledges Dashavatara as monarchs who restored order to the earth.
  • King Rama (Ramchandra) is mentioned, but no Guru authored a full Ramayana.

Various versions outside India:

• Japan: Known as Ramaenna or Ramaensho.
• Cambodia: Reamker is the local adaptation.
• Indonesia: In Bali, there is Ramakavaca; Java features Kakawin Ramayana and Yogesvara Ramayana; Sumatra presents Ramayana Swarnadwipa.
• Thailand: The local version is called Ramakien.
• Nepal: Siddhi Ramayana (Nepal Bhasa) and Bhanubhaktako Ramayan (Nepali language).
• Sri Lanka: Known as Janakiharan.