The Legend of Shri Rama, Ramayana in other countries outside Bharatvarsha (India)
The legend of Shri Rama, the Ramayana has been the greatest cultural contribution towards this world, which has completely transcended all cultural and religious boundaries across the world. The Ramayana was composed by vaidic-sage Valmiki to expound and reinforce the true meanings of Vedas, and to present the life-story of Rama to inspire and instruct each and every person in this world to learn and follow the path of Dharma, the righteousness, and the upright-behaviour in every aspect of human-life. Ramayana spread worldwide and became popular and influenced various cultures and civilizations across the world. It has been the fountain source of a great tradition of literature, culture, religion; not only in India, but also in many other countries and regions of the world. The story of the Ramayana had been told innumerable times in different parts of the world, which led to the emergence of various versions of local Ramayanas outside India in different countries such as in Thailand, Tibet, Burma, Cylone, Cambodia, Phillipines, Japan, China, Mongolia, and many other countries with varied episodes, events and names. Though the episodes and events differ from the original Ramayana composed by Valmiki, still the hero of the epic 'Rama' remains everywhere the best among men, the most shining and the virtuous character in the epic.
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Ramayana in Thailand
Ramakien - Ramayana in Thailand is called Ramakien which is also the national book of Thailand. The capital of early Thailand was called Ayutthaya, named after Shri Rama's capital of Ayodhya. The Kings of Thailand considered themselves as the descendants of Shri Rama.
The last ruling dynasty of Thailand is called Rama (Ram). And Shyam's country was the old name of Thailand, which was changed in 1939 with new name Thailand which means free country. In Ramayana, Shri Ram's humanly complexion is mentioned Shyam /swarthy. The story of Ramayana is very popular in Thailand. In early centuries after Christ, many kings had the name 'Rama' as either prefix or suffix in their name ruled this country. Various dramatic versions of Ramayana and dance based upon Ramayana are oraganised and performed in Thailand and in various south east asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Combodia etc.
Ramayana in Thailand
performance of Ramayana in Thailand
Ramayana in Burma
Ramayana in Burma is called 'Yamayana' which is unofficially the national epic of Burma, It is also called Yama (Rama) Zatdaw (Jataka). In Burma, Rama is pronounced as 'Yama', and Sita is called 'Me Thida'.
Burmese Ramayana dance
Ramayana in Cambodia
Reamker [also called Ramakerti - Rama (Rama's) + Kirti (Glory)] is the Cambodian epic poem, based on the Sanskrit's Ramayana epic. The name means "Glory of Rama". It adapts the Hindu ideas to Buddhist themes and shows the balance of good and evil in the world.
Reamker Means Rama-Kerti
(The glory of Rama - Cambodian Ramayana)
cambodian dance based on Ramayana
Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman in Cambodia
Ramayana in Malaysia
Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay version of the Hindu epic 'Ramayana', The main story of Hikayat Seri Rama remains the same as the original Sanskrit version, but some aspects of it were slightly modified to a local context such as the spelling and pronunciation of names.
Ramayana in Java, Indonesia
Rāmâyaṇa in Java, Indonesia is called 'Kakawin Rāmâyaṇa', the Javanese form of kāvya, a master-piece modeled on traditional Sanskrit meters.
Ramayana Performance ballet Dance in Java
Ramayana in Japan
There are two versions of Ramayana in Japan, one is called 'Hobutsushu', and the other one is called 'Sambo-Ekotoba'.
Ramayana in Philippines
Ramayana in Philippines is called Maharadia Lawana. The famous dance of Singkil from the Philippines is inspired from the Ramayana of the Philippines.
Famous dance singkil in philippines based on ramayana
Ramayana in China
Various Jataka stories of Rama was popular in china, the earliest known telling of Ramayana was found in a Buddhist text, Liudu ji jing. The impact of Ramayana on chinese society is evident from the the popular folklore of Sun Wukong, a Monkey king who is similar to Hanuman from Ramayana.
Ramayana in Laos
Laos is the city of Lava, the son of Rama, as per the belief of people in Laos. Phra Lak Phra Ram is the national epic of the Lao people, and is adapted from Valmiki's Ramayana. There are still temples in Laos which depict the scenes of Ramayana.
Ramayana in Russia and Mangolia
Legends of Ramayana had been popular among Kalmyk people of Russia. They trace their roots to Mongolia, Mangolians had an epic that closely resembles the Ramayana.
Ramayana in Europe
In archaeological excavations in Italy, Various paintings on the walls of ancient Italian houses were discovered, which are based upon the scenes of Ramayana. Some of the paintings shows persons having tails along with two men bearing bows and arrow on their shoulders, while a lady is standing besides them. These paintings are of 7 BC.
Rama in Other parts of world
Rama was known to people and worshipped and celebrated as The Supreme God from south America to Europe to the Middle-East Asia to the farthest point of south-east Asia, to read more click on the following link : Sri Rama and Vaidic History of the world.
।।SitaRam।।