The Ramayana isn’t just an Indian epic.
It’s a civilizational echo that resonated across Asia for centuries.
Here are 9 powerful versions of Ramayana from different countries - a shared heritage of Dharma, heroism & cosmic order.
A global thread of Rama 🧵
It’s a civilizational echo that resonated across Asia for centuries.
Here are 9 powerful versions of Ramayana from different countries - a shared heritage of Dharma, heroism & cosmic order.
A global thread of Rama 🧵
1. Nepal: Bhanu Bhakta Ramayan
Written by the great poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya in Nepali.
It was the first literary translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana into the Nepali language - not just a text, but a national treasure.
Written by the great poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya in Nepali.
It was the first literary translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana into the Nepali language - not just a text, but a national treasure.
2. Thailand: Ramakien
In Thailand, Rama is revered as Phra Ram. Ramakien is the Thai version of the Ramayana, infused with Thai culture, art, and royal patronage.
It’s also visually preserved on the murals of Bangkok’s Grand Palace.
In Thailand, Rama is revered as Phra Ram. Ramakien is the Thai version of the Ramayana, infused with Thai culture, art, and royal patronage.
It’s also visually preserved on the murals of Bangkok’s Grand Palace.
3. Sri Lanka: Lankavatara Ramayana
In the land once ruled by Ravana, legends still whisper of Sita, Hanuman, and Rama.
The Lankavatara version integrates local perspectives and Buddhist nuances, offering a unique lens on the epic.
In the land once ruled by Ravana, legends still whisper of Sita, Hanuman, and Rama.
The Lankavatara version integrates local perspectives and Buddhist nuances, offering a unique lens on the epic.
4. Laos: Lao Ramayana (Phra Lak Phra Lam)
Here, Rama is Lak and Lakshmana is Lam. More than mythology, it’s a ritual theatre, performed in dances and recitations - deeply woven into Lao Buddhist tradition.
Here, Rama is Lak and Lakshmana is Lam. More than mythology, it’s a ritual theatre, performed in dances and recitations - deeply woven into Lao Buddhist tradition.
5. Cambodia: Reamker
A sacred Khmer adaptation.
Reamker blends Hindu-Buddhist ideals, where Hanuman’s valor and Sita’s purity are celebrated in majestic Angkor Wat carvings and royal theatre.
A sacred Khmer adaptation.
Reamker blends Hindu-Buddhist ideals, where Hanuman’s valor and Sita’s purity are celebrated in majestic Angkor Wat carvings and royal theatre.
6. Malaysia: Hikayat Seri Rama
Written in Jawi (Arabic script), this Malay Ramayana blends Sanskrit roots with Islamic storytelling.
It shows how Sanatana values travel across cultures, finding new expressions without losing essence.
Written in Jawi (Arabic script), this Malay Ramayana blends Sanskrit roots with Islamic storytelling.
It shows how Sanatana values travel across cultures, finding new expressions without losing essence.
7. Myanmar: Yama Zatdaw
Known as the Burmese Ramayana.
It’s a mix of dance-drama and literature, recognized as the national dance drama of Myanmar. Performed with royal elegance and Buddhist influence.
Known as the Burmese Ramayana.
It’s a mix of dance-drama and literature, recognized as the national dance drama of Myanmar. Performed with royal elegance and Buddhist influence.
8. Philippines: Maharadia Lawana
This version from the Maranao people of Mindanao reimagines Ravana (Lawana) as a native king.
Despite pre-Hispanic Islamic influence, the soul of the Ramayana remained intact in oral tradition.
This version from the Maranao people of Mindanao reimagines Ravana (Lawana) as a native king.
Despite pre-Hispanic Islamic influence, the soul of the Ramayana remained intact in oral tradition.
9. Indonesia (Bali): Kakawin Ramayana
A poetic masterpiece written in Old Javanese. Even in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Rama’s story is performed in shadow puppetry, dances & temples - especially in Bali.
A poetic masterpiece written in Old Javanese. Even in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Rama’s story is performed in shadow puppetry, dances & temples - especially in Bali.
The Ramayana is not just India's story.
It is Asia’s spiritual epic.
A shared legacy of Dharma, loyalty, justice & divine love - evolving with every culture, yet preserving the essence of Rama within.
It is Asia’s spiritual epic.
A shared legacy of Dharma, loyalty, justice & divine love - evolving with every culture, yet preserving the essence of Rama within.
Follow @Its_Me_Jasraj for more powerful threads on ancient epics, dharmic culture & spiritual history.
Retweet if the Ramayana lives in your heart.
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