Questioning Ramayanas: A South Asian Tradition / Edition 1

by Paula Richman

Overview

Questioning Rama's story has played a generative role in sustaining the Ramayana tradition over centuries, across regions, and among different communities. Although the story of Rama (Ramkatha) has generated many tellings, most people are familiar with a few authoritative texts, such as those by Valmiki, Tulsidas, or the television serial by Ramanand Sagar. This volume expands our understanding of Ramkatha by focusing on tellings that question aspects of such dominant texts.

Through analysis of oral and written narratives, exegesis, plays, songs, rituals, and poetry, the contributors demonstrate the centrality of questioning within the Ramayana tradition and chart the many forms such interrogation takes. The book demonstrates how questioning safeguards the diversity and capaciousness of the Ramayana tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520220744
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	02/13/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	452
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Paula Richman is Irvin E. Houck Professor in the Humanities, Department of Religion, at Oberlin College. She is the editor of Extraordinary Child: Poems from a South
Indian Devotional Genre (1997) and Many Ramayanas: The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia (California, 1991).

Table of Contents

CONTRIBUTORS
Bina Agarwal
Vidyut Aklujkar
Edward C. Dimock
Rich Freeman
Robert P. Goldman
Sally J. Sutherland Goldman
Linda Hess
John Kelly
Madhu Kishwar
Philip Lutgendorf
Vasudha Narayana
Usha Nilsson
Velcheru Narayana Rao
Paula Richman
David Shulman
Tony K. Stewart
Romila Thapar