This book discusses Ravanisation: the revitalisation of Ravana among Sinhalese Buddhists in post-war (after 2009) Sri Lanka. The Hindu Ramayana generally portrays Ravana as a cruel king. How and why, then, has Ravana gained the interest of Sinhalese Buddhists? This study takes an ethnographic perspective to answer these questions. The book discusses multiple Ravana representations that have emerged at an urban Buddhist site (the Sri Devram Maha Viharaya) and a rural site (Lakegala), and discloses how Ravanisation relates to Sinhalese Buddhist ethno-nationalism. In addition, the material, ritual, and spatial perspectives offer unique insights in the personal and local relevance of Ravana. Dr. Deborah de Koning holds a PhD degree in Religious Studies (Tilburg University, research funded by the Dutch Research Council) and currently works as lecturer Intercultural Communication and Hinduism and Buddhism at the Christian University of Applied Sciences (CHE, The Netherlands).

The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems - both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series.

Delve into the multifaceted character of Ravana, the iconic antagonist of the Ramayana. Beyond his villainous portrayal, discover the scholar, ruler, and devotee who harbored an insatiable ambition that ultimately led to his tragic downfall. This comprehensive analysis explores the complexities of Ravana's motivations, justifications, and the moral ambiguity surrounding his actions. Uncover the corrupting influence of power, the dangers of hubris, and the enduring themes of the Ramayana that resonate across cultures and generations. Learn valuable lessons from Ravana's story, including the importance of humility, self-control, and the unwavering commitment to ethical principles. Gain insights into the potential pitfalls of human nature and the ultimate triumph of righteousness over unchecked ambition. Whether you're a student of mythology, a lover of epic tales, or simply curious about the complexities of human nature, this exploration of Ravana offers a deeper understanding of a character who continues to fascinate audiences worldwide.

Retold specially for children.

Twenty-Two Extraordinary Stories From The Lives Of Women We Have Always Known. What Happens When Women Decide To Shed Their Inhibitions And Speak Out About Their Deepest Feelings? What Stories Lie Behind Their Closed Doors In The Slums And Pols Of Ahmedabad? This Sparkling Collection Tells Us About The Dreams And Aspirations, The Victories And Defeats Of Women We Have Met Every Day-On The Streets, At Home, In Our Neighbourhoods. In Simple Unadorned Prose Esther David Recounts The Stories Of Maya Desai, Tormented By The Knowledge Of Her Beauty And Driven To Suicide By A World Which Refuses To Recognize Her True Self; Of Vesti, Who Meets An Unlikely Saviour After Being Branded As A Witch; Of Amina, Who Never Steps Beyond The Threshold Of Her House, But When Her Family Begins To Fall Apart, Proves To Be A Tower Of Strength; And Of Vidya, The Wife Of An Itinerant Performer, Who Comes Across A Strange Apparition In The Course Of A Somnolent Afternoon. There Are Young Women And Old, Struggling Against Disappointment, Failed Love And The Death Of Near Ones. At Times Funny, At Times Disturbing, These Stories Are A Testament To Their Heroic And Moving Endeavour To Rise Above Their Limitations. The Cover Shows A Detail From A Painting By Amit Ambalal

The epic tale of victory and defeat... The story of the Ramayana had been told innumerable times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the evil demon of darkness, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. The voice of the vanquished remains lost in silence. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell? The story of the Ravanayana had never been told. Asura is the epic tale of the vanquished Asura people, a story that has been cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell the tale. But perhaps the time has come for the dead and the defeated to speak. "For thousands of years, I have been vilified and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the Gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I freed a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor's tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished." "I am a non-entity-invisible, powerless and negligible. No epics will ever be written about me. I have suffered both Ravana and Rama - the hero and the villain or the villain and the hero. When the stories of great men are told, my voice maybe too feeble to be heard. Yet, spare me a moment and hear my story, for I am Bhadra, the Asura, and my life is the tale of the loser." The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms reeling under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look up to a young saviour-Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader. With a will of iron and a fiery ambition to succeed, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory and carves out a vast empire from the Devas. But even when Ravana succeeds spectacularly, the poor Asuras find that nothing much has changed for them. It is when that Ravana, by one action, changes the history of the world.