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Valmiki the author of an Indian epic called Ramayana is called Athi Kavi, the ancient poet. He composed this story of a chaste ruler called Ramachandra, ages ago (between the mid-7th century BCE and the mid-6th century BCE). He was such a lovely just king the world has never seen it before. All the best qualities of Godly men made this epic immortal. Valmiki called Rama with extra ordinary human qualities which made him not only legendary but also an Avatar. Valmiki used certain post modern techniques in his story. The author appeared in the story and ends the story by saying Good Bye to Rama, reminding a sorrow soaked Rama on his mission accomplished as an Avatar and time to leave for his divine aboard. Indians are great story tellers and this story is an example.
Ramayana unites India as the story happened all over India from North to South. So one could guess that it had at least few versions in India and in the south east where it was spread by Tamil kings during their dynastic expansion. There is a Tamil version by poet Kamban based on Tamil aesthetics and a tradition set by his previous saint poets called Alwars. Kumara Guruparar a Saivite saint took this Tamil version to Varanasi which inspired Tulsidas to write his vernacular version of Ramayana later.
In the original story Rama while wandering in the woods last his beautiful wife Sita to evil Ravana a demon and got separated for 11 months. Finally, he won a battle with him and conquered his wife. The narrative of the last chapters of the epic never fit with the characterization of Rama as intented. He was a God king and treated everyone equally and not touched by human jealousy or hate. He showed his merciful character in the woods by befriendling with a sailor, an old tribal woman, a monkey, a squirrel, a bird and even demons. However, a wrong insertion might have happened over the centuries demeaning Rama. It was written that he asked his wife to walk on a fire in order to show the world that she was chaste during the 11 months under the custody of Ravana. Another demeaning story in the Uttar Kant is that he kept Sita away in the woods, even after reunion when a citizen gossiped on her. These topics had been an aspect of moral debates in India over the centuries until in most recent times.
However, the Tamil version was much more straightforward in the narration glorifying only his good qualities. The other versions of South East Asia was far too liberal. In one version Sita had a good time with Ravana after abduction and even had children through Ravana. Another version think that Ravana had no bad intentions over Sita as he was her father.
Nandu came to know about this story from a Tamil film called "Sampoorna Ramayanam" (unabridged edition). Nandu was some how not a great fan of Rama. His favourite was Krishna the mischievous. The film was a pretty lengthy one with all top stars appearing. Tamil film industry, one of the oldest in India produced lots of films on legends and mythology after Indian independence. 1940-60 saw films on Indian myths, Maharajas and such themes.
When it turned to modern times two hero's emerged in Tamil film industry. One was M.G.Ramachandran alias MGR and the other Sivaji Ganesan alias Sivaji. MGR appeared on mythological films very rarely but more on modern themes which were a bit revolutionary for that time. So he was called "Puratchi nadigar" meaning revolutionary actor. However, Sivaji Ganesan took all roles including Gods, Devas and Kings. Nandu like more of MGR than Sivaji as the later's films were more melodramic while MGR's films were heroic.
The village had Everest Touring talkies, a theatre to show such films. It was called "touring talkies" because there was no permanent building for it then. 80% of the theatre was floor seating with sand from river Vaigai. No sitting arrangement on the floor and a free sitting was allowed. So it was cheap. A floor ticket costed only half ana. Nandu and many others could afford only that much.
Everest theatre owner has a house close to that of Nandu's. When he passed that house one day, the owner's son called him to come inside. That was a rare act and Nandu hesitantly entered that house. The guy placed Nandu on his lap and asked him whether he would bring his sister to him, if he was rewarded. That did not sound alright to Nandu. More so when he took Nandu's hand under his pants to handle his penis. It was huge and Nandu has never touched anything like that before. He felt uncomfortable and wanted to run away but the guy held him tight and he wanted Nandu to masterbate him which Nandu did not like. This could be the worst experience Nandu would expect from him. Nandu somehow released himself and ran out to his home. He washed his hand and the whole body as it was very fifty. One could imagine a chubby boy like Nandu could be sexually attractive for frustrated guys. He could have easily been his sisters in imagination as they were extraordinarily beautiful. (cont'd)
© nanu
Ramayana unites India as the story happened all over India from North to South. So one could guess that it had at least few versions in India and in the south east where it was spread by Tamil kings during their dynastic expansion. There is a Tamil version by poet Kamban based on Tamil aesthetics and a tradition set by his previous saint poets called Alwars. Kumara Guruparar a Saivite saint took this Tamil version to Varanasi which inspired Tulsidas to write his vernacular version of Ramayana later.
In the original story Rama while wandering in the woods last his beautiful wife Sita to evil Ravana a demon and got separated for 11 months. Finally, he won a battle with him and conquered his wife. The narrative of the last chapters of the epic never fit with the characterization of Rama as intented. He was a God king and treated everyone equally and not touched by human jealousy or hate. He showed his merciful character in the woods by befriendling with a sailor, an old tribal woman, a monkey, a squirrel, a bird and even demons. However, a wrong insertion might have happened over the centuries demeaning Rama. It was written that he asked his wife to walk on a fire in order to show the world that she was chaste during the 11 months under the custody of Ravana. Another demeaning story in the Uttar Kant is that he kept Sita away in the woods, even after reunion when a citizen gossiped on her. These topics had been an aspect of moral debates in India over the centuries until in most recent times.
However, the Tamil version was much more straightforward in the narration glorifying only his good qualities. The other versions of South East Asia was far too liberal. In one version Sita had a good time with Ravana after abduction and even had children through Ravana. Another version think that Ravana had no bad intentions over Sita as he was her father.
Nandu came to know about this story from a Tamil film called "Sampoorna Ramayanam" (unabridged edition). Nandu was some how not a great fan of Rama. His favourite was Krishna the mischievous. The film was a pretty lengthy one with all top stars appearing. Tamil film industry, one of the oldest in India produced lots of films on legends and mythology after Indian independence. 1940-60 saw films on Indian myths, Maharajas and such themes.
When it turned to modern times two hero's emerged in Tamil film industry. One was M.G.Ramachandran alias MGR and the other Sivaji Ganesan alias Sivaji. MGR appeared on mythological films very rarely but more on modern themes which were a bit revolutionary for that time. So he was called "Puratchi nadigar" meaning revolutionary actor. However, Sivaji Ganesan took all roles including Gods, Devas and Kings. Nandu like more of MGR than Sivaji as the later's films were more melodramic while MGR's films were heroic.
The village had Everest Touring talkies, a theatre to show such films. It was called "touring talkies" because there was no permanent building for it then. 80% of the theatre was floor seating with sand from river Vaigai. No sitting arrangement on the floor and a free sitting was allowed. So it was cheap. A floor ticket costed only half ana. Nandu and many others could afford only that much.
Everest theatre owner has a house close to that of Nandu's. When he passed that house one day, the owner's son called him to come inside. That was a rare act and Nandu hesitantly entered that house. The guy placed Nandu on his lap and asked him whether he would bring his sister to him, if he was rewarded. That did not sound alright to Nandu. More so when he took Nandu's hand under his pants to handle his penis. It was huge and Nandu has never touched anything like that before. He felt uncomfortable and wanted to run away but the guy held him tight and he wanted Nandu to masterbate him which Nandu did not like. This could be the worst experience Nandu would expect from him. Nandu somehow released himself and ran out to his home. He washed his hand and the whole body as it was very fifty. One could imagine a chubby boy like Nandu could be sexually attractive for frustrated guys. He could have easily been his sisters in imagination as they were extraordinarily beautiful. (cont'd)
© nanu
