Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Ravana Revisited


Is it strange that I have not been perturbed by any sort of intrigue about the much hyped, recently released Aishwarya and Abhishek starrer RAAVAN? Well, at least my cousin thinks so as he gives me those incredulous looks when I tell him I don’t care about the ‘hot new looks’ of the stars or the scenic locations or the great direction of Mani Ratnam which has surely made this movie a masterpiece. Frankly, I am glad the film has bombed at the box office (1 and ½ star rating by HT), a befitting answer to all those die heard Abhishek fans, eagerly awaiting the release of the epic film, hailed as a ‘landmark’ in his career. It may still turn out to be just that, but for me, the hullabaloo surrounding it has been consistently incomprehensible.

What I am glad for, though, is the fact that due to this movie, the media and the intellectuals have been compelled to undertake a debate on the conceptualization of ‘villain’ in our society, in our films, for once trying to give their characters their due respect. This is most aptly stated in the following lines- “Every story needs a villain. The Jain Chronicles are very clear about this. For every Vasudeva, they say, there must be a Prati-Vasudeva. Ag
ainst Rama stands Ravana, against Krishna stands Kansa. In fact, the villain comes first, justifying the existence of the hero. The villain’s villainy props up the hero’s heroism, justifies the adoration and worship.” (-Devdutt Patnaik, mythologist, and author of The Pregnant King)

A particular source of fascination for me has been the obsession of print and electronic media with revisiting the much celebrate, legendary villain-Ravana- straight out of the epic Ramayana, composed by Valimiki. He is the iconic villain- one whom we love to hate!

Having my mother as a Sanskrit teacher has its own advantages. I dunno how small was I when my innocent tongue started chanting these lines-

Damadamadamadamanninadavadamarvayam
Chakaarchandtaandavam tanotuna shivashivam”

I never understood their meaning - I still don’t. I was merely overtaken by the rhythm and vigor that emanated while chanting the initial part of these lines. What I do know today is the fact that these lines constitute the second part of the first verse of the 16 verse long Shiva Tandava Stotram, composed by the Asura king Ravana himself. When the fact that Ravana was a staunch devotee of Shiva, so much so that he composed this Stotram to appease the Lord from his petrifying anger, was first revealed to me, I stood in disbelief. Ravana was the sinister demon king who abducted Sita leading to his own destruction at the hands of Rama- how could someone like him be then related to a figure of a deeply religious and learned king, I failed to fathom.

Ravana is a symbol of evil”- has it not been fed into our system since the time we were toddlers, and were still learning to identify figures, and used to sing alphabets along with other nursery rhymes? We couldn’t boast of any worldly wisdom at that time when our grandmother taught us that evil always gets defeated at the hands of good, as is the case of Ravana, during one of her bedtime story sessions. Such are the common, conventional and delusional wisdoms imparted to us through the oral transmissions of our mythologically rich heritage. Did anyone tell us that the immoral son of sage Vishravas and Kaikesi was actually a learned Brahmin and a great scholar of his time? Did anyone bother to tell us that he is ascribed as the author of Ravansamhita, the most powerful treatise on astrological investigations derived from our Vedic texts? Did anyone tell us that there exist communities in unknown interiors of our country, for whom, Ravana is the only deity they’ve ever worshipped? Did anyone tell us that there is a Jain temple dedicated to the mighty king Ravana near Alwar? Perhaps no one told us because they themselves are not aware. I myself was not, till I saw and was captivated by a documentary on NDTV India this weekend, my eyes glued to the TV screen as I stared at an idol of “lord” Ravana- perhaps for the first time witnessing a serene, and ‘vinamra’ expression on his face, as against the ‘raudra’ image as is commonly perceived in our society.

So today, Ravana stands for me not as the widely professed super-villain, but as an ambivalent figure- part daitya and part Brahmin. His ten heads would not so much frighten me as they did when I was a kid, for today I know his ten heads are symbolic of profound knowledge of four Vedas, and six Upanishads. I will recall him to mind as the composer of the hypnotic Shiva Tandava Stotram, whose hubris was karmically fated to be subdued by Rama. The next time I see Ravana go up in flames on Dussehra, the biggest celebration of triumph of good over evil as witnessed in India, I will for once bow my head humbly to the great and glorious demon king, who has ‘clearly fallen victim to the distinction drawn in Ramayana by Valmiki between a good human guided by moral ethics and marital bonding, and the Rakshasa Jati- the race of demons and illusionists who practice profligate living.’ (HT, 20/06/10).

While I do read in my Indian Culture readings about Samudragupta, the scion of illustrious Gupta dynasty, famously called the ‘Indian Napolean’ by V.A. Smith, as being a prolific veena-vaadak, it has been little in my cognizance, as of most around me that Ravana himself was an unparalleled player of the Veena- the instrument most profoundly associated with the image of the goddess of learning, Saraswati, herself.

The next time I go through the much simpler and abridged version of my copy of C. Rajagopalachari’s Ramayana, I will be in a position to give much more thought to the fact that Ravana is not simply a figure who should be used as an instrument to establish the good a
nd astute image of maryadapushottam Rama year and year again in our highly saffronized society as his effigy goes up in flames during Dussehra; he is a legend in himself, capable of imparting much wisdom to all of us. As I rue the way the good and the evil forces were balanced inside Ravana, I remember the following quote I read in HT’s Saturday Editorial, written by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor, West Bengal- “While I too believe in Gods, I don’t believe that God concerns himself with the fates and actions of individual human beings- in their daily chores, in their pettinesses and quarrels, in their moments of joy and sorrow… As a Zoroastrian, I believe that good an evil exist as separate forces and that the world we live in is a battlefield.” – Fali Nariman

With Ramayana having already attained its much exaggerated place amongst us, I am eagerly waiting to grab my copy of the ‘Ravanayana’. ‘Ravana’ definitely is the flavor of the season!

17 comments:

  1. A kind of commiseration to the "poor" Ravana!
    Undoubtedly, Ravana was an intelligent and a well read chap!Unfortunately, he transgressed which led to his damnation!Our parents inculcated in us the fact that Ravana is a demon, an infamous creature, a sinister n a malignant figure!but they hardly bothered to sermonize n familiarize us with his good side.Hence,Mark Antony's saying goes well with Ravana's "bad" fate: "the evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones!"lol!!!

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  2. I so agree to what you have written, quite the crux of my post itself..i must remark, i love tha language of expression you have employed in your comment...quite an embellishment for my blog itself.. thanks! and keep the good, and critical words pouring in.

    luv u...
    glad to have you in the class...the lectures would not have been as much fun without sharing those smiles and laughters with you..!!

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  3. i think this article is quite apt about the ramayan story.. having read the amar chitra katha on ravan i already knew most of these facts..
    the 10 heads reason was really amazing and contrasting..

    however i must say the movie itself might not even be anything like ramayan so i wont comment before watching it..

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  4. Thanks Namit..and you rekindled a fond part of my childhood memories by mentioning the Amar Chitra Katha..they were really amazing...i was a regular reader, along with the 'cutest' Tinkle!!!! I still have a few issues of it. And i would just like to make a point here, that since you are so much into planning your future, you know, as in decinding which school your kids would go to and all...also take a note that you have to provide your kids with the Amar Chitra Katha..so that they too become as learned and informed as you are (chuckle!)
    ;)

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  5. The following comment was intended to be posted by my fiend, Vivek...

    "I must thank you for enlightening me through this amazing work of yours! It’s quite satisfying to see someone so much fond of mythology since somewhere around my roots I had once realised the significance of being in touch with it. At a time when such trend seems to be stagnant or rather eroding, may intellectuals like you be the flag bearers of Indian culture and mythology! The present educational pattern remains rudimentary till we introduce the essential elements of our mythology if not in our lives then at least in our conscience. I firmly believe that you would definitely achieve what you are aiming for (rather you should aim higher), but never confine this interest to yourself. When you have power you have responsibilities (I know it was said in Spiderman). If you will thrive to bring about the much needed inclination, the similar senses would percolate down to those who are badly unaware (even I belong to the same group).

    Even I know that I am deviating from the subject but unfortunately I am like that only... By the way it was so nice to go through your splendid English (no shame in accepting that I had to use my oxford thrice). So before my comment turns bigger than your article I should say good bye to you........!!"

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  6. Imbalanced act by VALMIKI, i would firmly say, coz what ever i have learnt from other readings makes me firmly believe that RAVANA was the most digified and full of wisdom.

    there can be lot to be written on that, but some other time

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  7. read dignified,

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  8. @Anonymous- Thanks for the comment. That was the whole purpose of me writing that post.

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    Replies
    1. Dear All

      My book on Ravana's version of Ramayana, where Ravana is the hero is hitting the stands worldwide by April last week/ MAY first week.

      You can do pre order in FLIP KART, Amazon, India Gift portal, Crossword etc

      Here is the link for flip kart

      http://www.flipkart.com/asura-9381576052/p/itmd8fczwfakfdh3?pid=9789381576052&_l=GkEk7YH1PCMSbJKtpOTnvA--&_r=pmi4okhD82FSRkNzYIkNbQ--&ref=39f1987e-d803-433c-ae2e-5532433b3f95

      Eagerly awaiting your reviews and opinions

      Author
      Anand Neelakantan

      Delete
  9. The name of the book is ASURA- Tale of the Vanquished
    Go to flip kart and search PRE ORDER for ASURA by ANAND and you can read the synopsis of the book.

    It is Ravanayana.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anand
      Lovely hearing from you. I did see the synopsis of the book, and I must admit, it seems like a mighty interesting project. I would love to read it. If you specifically giving out copies for reviews, I would be glad to receive it and review it for you.

      All the best for your book! May it climb up really high on the list of best sellers.

      Cheers!
      Saumya

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  10. Definitely Saumya, As soon as I shall arrange review copies as soon as the book reaches me. The book is in production stage now and is expected to hit stands by April 25th- May 5Th. Please share the link with your friends in facebook and all

    http://www.flipkart.com/asura-9381576052/p/itmd8fczwfakfdh3?pid=9789381576052&_l=GkEk7YH1PCMSbJKtpOTnvA--&_r=pmi4okhD82FSRkNzYIkNbQ--&ref=39f1987e-d803-433c-ae2e-5532433b3f95

    thank you

    Anand

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    Replies
    1. Yes sir, I have forwarded the link to people in my circle who have interest in this genre of reading. Looking forward to my review copy. I really want to read this one. Cheers!!

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    2. Hi

      I have uploaded two chapters (chapter 1 and 2) in my website http://asura.co.in/?cat=9

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    3. Hi!
      Wonderful!
      I shall share the link with my friends and also go through the chapters myself.
      :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Saumya

    Shall I ask my publisher to send you a copy for review

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes sir, that would be fantastic!
      I shall mail you my address.

      Delete