Indian English Drama The Epics Revisited

This book includes meticulous research papers that focus on literature and culture. This research proceeding paints the reality of life in a cultural overview. This collection has been brought out by the Department of English, st Joseph College of Arts and Science, Vaikalipatti, Mettur, Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, India. Research papers were contributed by participants from more than 8 states in India and more than 12 districts in Tamilnadu. UG students, PG students, M. Phil scholars, PhD scholars, NET aspirants, faculty members and academicians have contributed to this book. This book is an outcome of the Two Days National Conference on 'Revisiting Literature through Culture', conducted on 21&22 September, 2023. By all means, it will remain a treasure of reference for the forthcoming researchers and enthusiasts.

14 leading 'Ramayana' scholars examine the epic in its myriad contexts throughout South and Southeast Asia. They explore the role the narrative plays in societies as varied as India Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. The essays also expand the understanding of the 'text' to include non-verbal renditions of the epic.

Rama, Maryada Purushottam, the king of Ayodhya, banished his beloved queen, in whose chastity he had complete faith, simply because his subjects disapproved of his accepting a wife who had spent a year in the house of her abductor. The king submitted to the will of the people though it broke his heart. Was his stand justified? Could Manthara be held solely responsible for the banishment of Rama and the subsequent death of Dasharatha? Was Ahalya an adulteress or a victim of sexual assault? Did the actions of the serial molester Ravana stand legal scrutiny? Was Lakshmana, a prince of Ayodhya, legally justified in mutilating Surpanakha? Was his elder brother Rama an accomplice in that action? It was said in ancient India, a king who, after having sworn to safeguard his subjects, failed to protect should be executed like a mad dog. Such a provision indicated that sovereignty was based on an implied social contract, and if the king violated the traditional pact, he forfeited his kingship. So, a king had to be just as justice trickled down from the crown. What happens though if the events of yore are retold and characters made to stand trial in today's time? Here is an attempt, unexplored so far, to retell the significant happenings narrated in the Ramayana through the legal prism of the Indian Penal Code. Each chapter comprises a prosecution version, citations of relevant provisions from the IPC, deposition of witnesses and the defence argument. Ramayana Revisited succeeds in bringing in all alternative perspectives, leaving the final judgement to the discretion of the reader.