The Shri Ramlila Challenge

“The Shri Ramlila Challenge” is a collection of 300 questions that has just one purpose — Inspire you to read the epic of Ramayan. If you have not read the epic, Shri Ramlila is much more than what you know. Try the quizzes. This book has 30 quizzes of 10 multiple-choice questions each. The first 24 quizzes divide Shri Ramlila into 24 topics and tell you more about his glory — from birth to crowning — 40 interesting facts in 3 minutes. The other six are general quizzes. Your chance to know the story of Ramayan in 90 Minutes! Did a teacher, relative, granny, grandpa, or TV reporter embarrass you by asking simple questions on the Ramayana? Take this crash course and turn the tables on them. The trivia is designed to let children master the crux of the Hindu Religious Epic in a few hours. The questions in the book are taken from Valmiki Ji’s Ramayana and Tulasi Das Ji’s Ramcharitmanas. Children, youth, adults, and the elderly can go through them — with friends or family — in homes, offices, gettogether, marriages, school, or even when alone. The book is written in simple English.

Ramleela is the story or Leela ('play') of the legend of Prince Rām of Ayodhya, India, battling demi gods, demons and king Rawan to rescue beautiful Princess Sita from Lanka. This ancient, epic story of the Ramayana; later narrated in Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, and introduced to the Caribbean by Indian, indentured workers, it has been flourishing as Ramleela, folk theatre, in Trinidad for over 130 years. It is performed continuously in the village, now town, of Felicity for over 100 years. The residents of Felicity-a village carved out of former sugarcane lands, at the edge of the Caribbean Sea-have been performing their Ramleela annually for eleven consecutive days with the grandeur and panache of village pageantry. This particular production has been mentioned by two Nobel laureates; Sir Vidya Naipaul and Derek Walcott. Part I of the book deals with the issues that the immigrant East Indian community grapples with, in establishing their space and identity within the new landscape. Part II is centered in Felicity with its unique history, geography and demography. Part III documents the story, as dramatised; the circumstances of Rām's birth, his education and training, marriage, exile, trials and tribulations, battles, overcoming magic and illusion, his victory over king Rāwan and his triumphant return to rule the Kingdom of Ayodhya The story is presented through a combination of acting, vocal and instrumental music, supporting props, décor, lighting and costuming. Its multi-layered meanings have been explained through the use of masks and forms of masking, guise and disguise, at the physical and metaphysical levels. The pageant incorporates burlesque, humour, satire, village commerce and entertainment on the fringe, a complete mela, attracting young and old, the religious and the secular. These multiple features have expanded the annual audiences of the Leela while enhancing the rich, diverse heritage of Trinidad and Tobago's cultural landscape in the 21st century.

Shri Ramlila (The playful acts of Shri Ram) is a sequence of 24 one-act plays that depict his glory from birth to crowning. Readers can perform them as a complete epic, enact only one act, or use some dialogues as a short mono act. The book covers most stories of Shri Ramcharitmanas (written by Goswami Tulsidas Ji) and Valmiki Ramayan. Information from other holy books is also included. The details mentioned in the epics can overwhelm first-time readers. To help them, these are shown in summaries, lists, and pictographs. Hindi couplets (with meaning) and prayers translated into English aim to enrich the reading experience. Teachings and morals are in place to drive the religious and ethical messages. A list of characters, their personifications, backdrops, and props, will aid those who want to enact the plays. Scenes and dialogues have been written to cover the story in minimum acts. In short, the plays do cover most information written in the epic. Let's hope it inspires all to read the original masterpieces. Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram! Includes stories of Dus Avatar of Shree Vishnu Bhagwaan – Narasimha, Hari the tortoise, Varah the boar, Vamana Bharat Milaap, Sage Parashuram Lakshman Samvaad, Angad ka paon, Lakshman and Shurpanakha ki naak Sage Gautam and Devi Ahalya, Bhagirathi and Ganga jal, Creation of world by Brahma Ji Bajarang Bali’s Lanka Dahan, Sundar Kand Panch Kanya Tara, Kewat ki Naav, Shabri ke Ber, Bhakta Prahlad Nal Neel and Ramsetu (The bridge to Lanka), Shiva lingam in Rameshwaram, Roles of Devraj Indra, Agni Devta, Kamdev, Pawan, Varun, Narad Muni, Mayank, Matali, Jayant Goddesses Saraswati Ma, Lakshmi Ji, Parvati Mata (Sati), Mother Earth or Bhumi, Nidra Devi, Surasa, Swayamprabha Apsara Rambha, Menaka, and Urvashi Ayodhya Naresh Raja Dasharath, Raja Janak and the Pinaka, Shatrughan, Siddhartha, Sumantra, Kausalya, Kaikeyi, Sumitra, Sunaina, Manthara, Urmila, Shrutakirti, Mandavi, Ruma King Pratap Bhanu, Arimdarna, and Dharam Ruchi Sapta Rishi and other great sages like Rishi Agastya, Sage Bharadwaja, Sage Vishvamitra, Dev Guru Brhaspati, Guru Shatanand Ji, Priest Jabali, Sage Lomash, Shringi Rishi, Shutikshan Made for each other - Guru Vashishta & Arundhati, Rishi Atri & Anasuya Ji Spies Shardula, Shuka, & Sarana Doctor Sushena, Black Magician Vidyujjihva Rakshas Rani — Kaikesi, Mandodari, Sarama Narbhaakshi – Tadaka, Simhika Rakshasi Trijata, Lankini, Dhanyamalini, Ekajata, Harijata, Praghasa, Vikata, Durmukhi, Vinata, Chandodari, Pragasa, Ajamukhi, Ayomukhi Vaanar Raj Bali Vadh aur Sugriva, Honorable Kesari, Bear King Riksharaj Jambavan, Vibhishan Vaidya Susheshana & Sanjeevani Booty, Hanuman Ji & Dronagiri Monkey Warlords Rishabha, Arcishman, Sampati, Sharabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Gaja, Dadhimukha, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Vegadarshi, Vinata Tribal king Nishad Raj Guha & Bhils Crow Kakbhushundi – all-time best storyteller & devotee of Shri Ram Vultures - King of Birds Garuda, Sampati, Jatayu Wish-fulfilling Kamdhenu Cow, Kalpavriksha tree, & Chintamani Maricha & Golden Deer Charanas - the celestial bards, Ganas, Kinkaras Sudarshan, Bow, Arrows, Maces, Counch, Shankha, Bramashtra Villians like Hiranyakashipu, Lankapati Ravan, Kumbhakaran, Mahodara, Mahaparshva, Khar, Dushan, Trishira, Malyavan, Prahasta, Akampan, Mareech, Subahu, Meghnaad (Indrajeet), Akshay Kumar, Atikaya, Narantaka, Devantaka, Nikumbha, Mayasura, Jambumali, Suparshva, Viradh, Kalanemi Demon Army Generals of Dashkandhar - Prajangha, Tapana, Pratapana, Praghasa, Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitraghnu, Yajnakopa, Yagnashatru, Vajramushti, Ashaniprabha, Vidyunmali, Durmukh, Vajradamshtra, & Virupaksha

India's longest-running record book completing 34 years FEATS OF EXTRAORDINARY TENACITY STORIES OF STUNNING PERFORMANCES TRIUMPHS OF NEVER-SAY-DIE ACHIEVERS India's most comprehensive book of records captures the country's stellar achievements in human endeavour, structures, sports, education, defence, government, science and technology, adventure, business, cinema, environment and sustainability, literature, and the arts. From the longest, tallest, and fastest to the unique and truly extraordinary, this curation of superlatives presents a remarkable range of newly set records and those that have stood steadfast over the years. A recap of the record-breaking show at the Asian Games 2022 and a focus section on Indian Parliament make this edition extra special. Records in the conservation of the environment and betterment of our communities, among others, are sure to resonate and motivate readers. This edition of India's number one record-cum-reference book, with over 450 coloured images, is packed with informative timelines, reader-friendly infographics, tables, and number trivia. Limca Book of Records 2024 promises to thrill, enrich, and entertain! ... as always!

"Performing the Ramayana Tradition: Enactments, Interpretations, and Arguments, edited by Ramayana scholar Paula Richman and Rustom Bharucha, scholar of Theater and Performance Studies, examines diverse retellings of the Ramayana narrative as interpreted and embodied through a spectrum of performances. Unlike previous publications, this book is neither a monograph on a single performance tradition nor a general overview of Indian theatre. Instead, it provides context-specific analyses of selected case studies that explore contemporary enactments of performance traditions and the narratives from which they draw: Kutiyattam, Nangyarkuttu and Kathakali from Kerala; Kattaikkuttu and a "mythological" drama from Tamilnadu; Talamaddale from Karnataka; avant-garde performances from Puducherry and New Delhi; a modern dance-drama from West Bengal; the monastic tradition of Sattriya from Assam; anti-caste plays from North India; and the Ramnagar Ramlila. Apart from the editors' two introductions, which orient readers to the history of Ramayana narratives by Tulsidas, Valmiki, Kamban, Sankaradeva, and others, as well as the performance vocabulary of their enactments, the volume includes many voices, including those of directors, performers, scholars, connoisseurs, and the scholar-abbot of a monastery. It also contains two full scripts of plays, photographs of productions, interviews, conversations, and a glossary of Indian terms. Each essay in the volume, written by an expert in the field, is linked to several others, clustered around shared themes: the politics of caste and gender, the representation of the anti-hero, contemporary re-interpretations of traditional narratives, and the presence of Ramayana discourse in everyday life"--

"This book provides a critical commentary on politics, language, literature, identity, media, religion, caste, and the Indian diaspora over the last two centuries." "While analysing and synthesizing work done in diverse intellectual traditions, it discusses the significance of Sanskrit and its relationship with the regional languages of India; the relationship between Hindi and Urdu; and the role of English as a language of colonial administration and education after Independence." "The study also deals with the new generation of post-Independence Indian English writers, who express a whole range of emotions, which were articulated through the vernacular in the colonial period. It explores the representation of Indian identities - Hindu and Muslim - through Hindi films and also looks into the role of Hindi television programmes in the construction of national and regional identities." "The authors examine the problems of creating a national identity; the rise of Hindu politics in the 1990s; and Hindu-Muslim relations in the context of religious reform and political loyalty to the nation-state. They also analyse the relationship of the Indian diaspora with the motherland and the host country." "Going beyond conventional boundaries of nation-states, academic disciplines, and conceptual categories, this interdisciplinary work will aid those embarking on a 'new' discovery of India. It will be useful to scholars and students of politics, history, literature, and cultural studies."--BOOK JACKET.

This book reflects on the significance of duties in creating an egalitarian society by collating and contextualizing the relevant literature. It particularly focuses on an appreciation of Gandhi’s views on duty to showcase how they remain pertinent to create a cohesive, responsible and value-based society in the present right-dominated world. A viable solution to the current real world problems could be found in exploring the philosophy on duties and the book provides relevant literature in this regard. It undertakes jurisprudential analysis of duty in a rights-dominated world, identifying the gaps in realising the potential of duty to address the critical issues of the present times. It argues that enforcement of rights depends heavily on the observance of duties and proposes coherence in right-duty relationship. Gandhian thought on duty recognises duty as a precursor to rights and emphasises that the observance of duties guarantees the enforcement of rights. The relevance of duties and Gandhian thoughts on the same is not restricted to India but transcends borders with profound appeal. Gandhian thoughts have become even more relevant in the current times to examine the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, racial discrimination (BLM), environmental crises, digital divide, health care and medical care crises, refugee and migrant labour problems and it can offer promising solutions based on the nuances of social solidarity, self realisation of duties/responsibilities, local governance, compassion and humanity.