What might make an awesome retelling of Ramayana

Ankur Saxena
3 min readJun 21, 2023

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The Ramayana, a beloved ancient Indian epic, has captivated audiences for centuries with its timeless teachings and unforgettable characters. If we want to satisfy the craving of people to retell the story, it is essential to consider the elements that would make an awesome adaptation. In this blog post, we delve into the key aspects that could contribute to a compelling retelling of the Ramayana.

Retaining the Essence: At the core of any successful retelling of the Ramayana is the preservation of its essence. The story should continue to inspire people to follow the virtues and values embodied by its characters. Retaining the moral dilemmas, ethical choices, and profound teachings that are the foundation of the original narrative ensures that the essence of the Ramayana remains intact.

World-building and Context: To make the Ramayana relatable and accessible to a contemporary audience, it is important to detail the world in which the story unfolds. Since we live in a different era than the time of the Ramayana, a successful retelling should provide context and explanations of the social, cultural, and historical aspects of the world depicted in the epic. This approach allows the audience to connect more deeply with the story, much like the world-building in fantasy novels that transport readers to different realms.

Exploring Rama’s Growth: A fascinating angle to explore in a retelling of the Ramayana is Rama’s personal growth and transformation. Instead of solely focusing on his heroic deeds, a powerful retelling would examine Rama’s journey through the eyes of the people around him. By tracing his development from his early days to becoming powerful enough to defeat Ravana, we can unravel the events, experiences, and decisions that shaped his character. Delving into Rama’s mental and emotional struggles, his adherence to dharma, and the thought processes that led to his crucial decisions brings depth and relatability to his character.

Complex Character Interactions: The Ramayana is replete with diverse characters, each with their own motivations, strengths, and flaws. An awesome retelling would explore the intricate relationships and interactions between these characters. By delving into the dynamics between Rama and Sita, Ravana and his sister Surpanakha, Hanuman and the Vanara army, and other key relationships, a retelling can bring forth the complexities and human aspects of these characters. This exploration of their emotions, conflicts, and personal growth adds layers to the narrative and allows for a more nuanced understanding of their roles.

Struggles and Ethical Dilemmas: The retelling of the Ramayana should not shy away from addressing the struggles and ethical dilemmas faced by its characters. By portraying the mental, emotional, and moral challenges encountered by Rama and others, the retelling can invite introspection and contemplation from the audience. Examining how Rama faced and resolved these dilemmas, the internal conflicts he navigated, and the growth he achieved through his choices provides valuable lessons for individuals in their own journeys.

All in all, Crafting an awesome retelling of the Ramayana requires a careful balance between honouring the essence of the original epic and incorporating elements that resonate with a contemporary audience. By focusing on world-building and context, exploring Rama’s growth through different perspectives, delving into complex character interactions, and addressing struggles and ethical dilemmas, a retelling can breathe new life into this timeless tale.

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Why I have decided to retell the story of Ramayana (Coming soon)

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Ramayan Retelling is craved for but Adipurush is not it https://medium.com/@ankursaxena.iit/ramayan-retelling-is-craved-for-but-adipurush-is-not-it-1b07a85659ac

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