In Camera Committee Holds Epic Event!

The Ramayana is India’s most celebrated and timeless epic, recounting the story of Lord Rama, originally penned by Valmiki. Over hundreds of years, its popularity has risen further with different legendary writers penning different aspects of ‘The Ramayana’, as per their literary perceptions, adding to its intellectual and mythical piquancy as well as global fascination. It was therefore an occasion that Rotarians were keenly looking forward to, when the vibrant In Camera Committee announced that the eminent ‘Ramayana’ enthusiast and noted historian Dr. Vidya Vencatesan, would be sharing her views with them on the ‘Many Ramayanas..’

The event, the fourth so far organized by the In Camera Committee, was held on the 4th of February, 2016 at PP Rtn. Ajay Kanoria’s residence and was attended by over forty eager Rotarians and their spouses, including President Rtn. Dr. Sonya Mehta and members of the In Camera Committee. Dr. Vencatesan, Professor and Head, Dept. of French, University of Mumbai, explained how the epic tells the story of Lord Rama and how different ‘Ramyanas’ interpret the story differently, depending on the writers. The talk looked mainly at the key episode of the ‘Rama- Sita Wedding’ as perceived by literary legends including Valmiki, Kamban, Krittibas and Tulsidas. She stated that there are over three hundred versions of ‘The Ramayana’ through the length and breadth of the country, with each version recounting the story from the perspective of that era and region it is based in. Speaking on Valmiki’s ‘Ramayana’, Dr. Vencatesan said that this was considered to be the first written retelling of the epic, where the focus was on Rama’s valour as well as the strategic alliance between the 2 kingdoms, with a minimal description on the emotions of Rama and Sita.

The other three ‘Ramayanas’ discussed were written between the 11th to the 16th century AD. The Tamil Ramayana by Kamban is a poetic rendition on how Rama and Sita first met, bringing to life the emotions of the young couple as well as a detailed description of the wedding rituals and festivities. The Bengal-based Krittibas’ version, is a homely rendition and vividly describes the wedding customs like those done for traditional Bengali weddings. However, Tulsidas’ ‘Ram Charit Manas’, set in the 16th century, is the most widely read text exuding a North Indian flavor to the epic, emphasizing on the brother-duo – ‘Rama-Laxmana’, with the women’s roles taking a backseat. Most of the present day wedding rituals in North India are based on the ones illustrated in this epic.

Dr. Vencatesan was an engaging and erudite speaker who held the Rotarians spellbound with her beautiful description of the Rama-Sita wedding, as richly illustrated in these texts. The interaction post the talk followed continued well into the night. The members enjoyed a delicious dinner hosted by Rtn. Ajay and Vandana Kanoria. Later, President Rtn. Dr. Sonya Mehta presented Dr. Vencatesan with a token of appreciation on behalf of the club and the members present, and thanked the gracious hosts for their warm hospitality.