SOURCE: Kannampilly, K. M. “Ramayana in South East Asian Life.” Indian Horizons 25, nos. 3-4 (1976): 5-8.

In the following essay, Kannampilly discusses the widespread influence of the Ramayana in South East Asia.

For over 14 centuries now, the Ramayana has continued to be a living force among the people of South East Asia, influencing their hearts and thoughts, inspiring their artistic creations and forming the mainspring of their cultural life. To them the hero and heroine of the Ramayana have always been models of chivalry, nobility and faithfulness, characters of great spiritual beauty.

The story of the Prince of Ayodhya was known throughout the South East Asian region. In Burma perhaps the first version was the Rama Thagyin composed in 1775 by U Aung Phyo. A decade or so afterwards the story was dramatised, and starting from then, it has continued to be popular on the dance stage in Burma. The...