Ramayan - 1987

Introduction

Ramayan is an Indian mythological television series that was first aired in 1987. Based on the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, the series portrays the life and adventures of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The series follows Ram's journey from his birth in Ayodhya to his exile, his battle with the demon king Ravan, and his eventual return to Ayodhya, where he becomes king.

The series has been widely acclaimed for its portrayal of the epic story and its characters, and it is still popular among audiences in India and around the world. Ramayan is a cultural phenomenon significantly impacting Indian television and popular culture.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Story

• Schedule

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Predictions

• Seasons

• Behind The Scenes

• Controversy

• TRP

• Awards

• Conclusion

Details

Story

PlayRamayan is based on the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The show follows the journey of Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is exiled from his kingdom of Ayodhya along with his wife, Sita and brother, Laxman. This occurs when Dasharath decides to crown Ram as the next king of Ayodhya, but his wife, Kaikeyi, forces him to change his decision by reminding him of an old promise he had made to her. Kaikeyi demands that her son, Bharat, be crowned as the king instead and that Ram is sent into exile for 14 years. King Dasharath is heartbroken at the exile of his beloved son and longs for his return.

As the story progresses, Ram, Laxman, and Sita spend their 14-year exile in the forests, where they face various challenges, such as encounters with demons and evil characters, including the abduction of Sita by the demon king Ravan. With the help of an army of monkeys led by Hanuman, Lord Ram sets out to rescue Sita and defeat Ravan. Along the way, he also forms alliances with other characters, such as the monkey king Sugriva and his minister Hanuman.

The plot reaches its climax with the epic battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, where Lord Ram emerges victorious and rescues Sita. The show ends with the three returning to Ayodhya, where Lord Ram is crowned as the king of Ayodhya. The show explores the themes of love, devotion, faith, duty, and righteousness.

Schedule

Ramayan was first released on January 25, 1987, on Doordarshan. The show was aired every Sunday at 9:30 am.

After the initial airing on Doordarshan, Ramayan was broadcasted on other channels in India, including Star Plus. It was also made available on DVD and VHS tapes for people to watch at home. The show has been re-aired several times on various television channels over the years.

Cast

Crew

• Director - Ramanand Sagar

• Producer - Ramanand Sagar

• Cinematographer - Ajit Naik

• Editor - Subhash Sehgal

• Production House - Sagar Arts

• Writer - Ramanand Sagar (dialogue, screenplay), Tulsidas (writer of Ramcharitmanas), Valmiki (writer of Ramayana story)

• Singer - Mohammed Aziz, Satish Dehra, Ravindra Jain, Mahendra Kapoor, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal

• Lyricist - Ravindra Jain, Tulsidas

Character Analysis

Here's a character analysis of some of the main characters in Ramayan:

• Ram is portrayed as the embodiment of righteousness. He is the ideal king who upholds dharma and puts the welfare of his subjects above his personal interests. He is also shown as a devoted husband who goes to great lengths to rescue his wife, Sita after Ravan kidnaps her.

• Sita is portrayed as a pure, virtuous, and devoted wife who is strong and independent. She stands by her husband's side through all his trials and tribulations, even when Ravan abducts her. Her character is a testament to the strength of a woman's love and devotion.

• Laxman is depicted as Rama's loyal and devoted brother who stands by him in all his triumphs and tribulations. He is known for his quick wit, courage, and unwavering loyalty towards Ram. His character is the epitome of brotherly love and devotion.

• Ravan is depicted as a complex character. He is a powerful and intelligent king with immense knowledge. However, his pride and arrogance lead him to challenge the gods and ultimately to his downfall. Despite being portrayed as a villain, his character is also shown to have redeeming qualities, such as his devotion to Lord Shiva and his love for his brother Vibhishana.

• Hanuman is depicted as a wise and powerful monkey deity who is a loyal devotee of Ram. He plays a crucial role in helping Ram rescue Sita from Ravan's captivity. He is also shown as an embodiment of strength, devotion, and humility.

• King Dasharath is portrayed as a just and kind ruler who deeply cares for his subjects and family. He is a loving father to his four sons, especially to Ram. However, his impulsive decision to grant Kaikeyi's wish ultimately leads to tragic consequences.

• Kaushalya is Ram's biological mother and is depicted as a gentle and caring person who loves her son deeply. She is often seen as the voice of reason and tries to intervene when the situation gets out of hand. She is a devoted wife to Dasharath and a loving mother to all her step-sons.

• Kaikeyi is Dasharath's second wife and the mother of Bharat. She is portrayed as a beautiful but scheming woman consumed by jealousy and ambition. Her desire to see Bharat on the throne leads her to manipulate Dasharath into granting her two boons that ultimately cause great harm to her family and kingdom.

Predictions

There are no predictions as it ended in 1988.

Seasons

The Ramayan consisted of only one season and 78 episodes.

Behind the Scenes

The show's director, Ramanand Sagar, faced many financial difficulties while making Ramayan. The production team had a limited budget and had to keep around 10-15 artists on a monthly payroll. They couldn't afford to pay artists per episode, so some had to play multiple roles to save costs.

• Ramanand Sagar received a call from Doordarshan in January 1987 to present a pilot episode of the Ramayana within two weeks. Sagar had already shot four episodes before he was commissioned for the show, which were eventually cut and stitched together to make a single episode.

Controversy

• The controversies surrounding Ramayan include political concerns, particularly it's broadcast in the shadow of the Ram Janambhoomi movement that is speculated to have led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

• Some critics believed that the show violated the secular principle of a national broadcaster and that it may have even contributed to the electoral fortunes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

• Others saw the show as a catalyst for the movement's turmoil. Some also took issue with the abandonment of the Nehruvian secular ethos in favour of a Hindu-centric aesthetic.

• The English press largely remained mute on the topic, while the Hindi press largely venerated the idea and Sagar's execution.

TRP

The exact TRP ratings of Ramayan are not available as they were not measured at that time. However, it is estimated that the show had an audience of around 650 million viewers and was telecast in 55 different countries. It is considered one of the highest-rated shows in the history of Indian television.

Awards

Conclusion

Ramayan left a significant impact on Indian popular culture. The show has been widely acclaimed for its portrayal of the epic story Ramayana and its characters. Its themes of love, devotion, faith, duty, and righteousness have resonated with audiences across generations. The show's characters, including Ram, Sita, Laxman, Ravan, and Hanuman, have become iconic in Indian popular culture. The show's legacy is evident in its continued popularity and numerous re-airings on various television channels. Ramayan is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to shape and influence culture.

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