RAMAYANA-----The GREAT INDIAN EPIC that was originally written by Maharishi Valmiki in Sanskrit and later in Hindi by Saint-poet Tulsidas in RAMACHARITA MANAS still has profound impact in our lives. We always used to look forward to the story-telling sessions by my grandmother who used to patiently, lovingly narrate them when T.V. had not yet intruded our rooms.
The inspiration that one can draw from Maryada Purushottam Ram (A man of great ideals) is enormous and also it brings out relevance of values of brotherhood, truthfulness, sacrifice, dutifulness, tolerance, love, perseverance, patience, and courage in the age of degeneration of family & human values!
When my cousin coaxed me to watch this Animation on V.C.D.; I was v apprehensive as I had already seen the TV. Serial Ramayan.
Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot and Wow! I m still wondering why I did not see it on the Big Screen earlier!!!
The essence of RAMAYAN as the Ultimate Victory of Truth & Justice over untruth and injustice is remarkable. So when a Japanese producer Yugo Sako decided to make ANIMATION OF RAMAYANA, VHP fumed!!!! They did not want RAM to become another Cartoon Character. Sako tried his best convincing them that Animation is a serious form of Art in Japan and this would not dilute but in fact enhance Ram’s Divine Nature and also the fight-sequences had ample scope for animation and wonderful cinematography!
With India’s finest animator Ram Mohan, 350 Japanese Animators & the Excellent Special FX crew, Sako’s dream of the LEGEND OF PRINCE RAMA was born!!!!
The movie (English version) begins with Narration of how Maharaja Dashrath was blessed with four Princes and the upbringing of RAM, LAKSHMAN, BHARAT & SHATRUGAN.
# The animation starts from the time Ram & Lakshman with Sage Vishwamitra go to the forest of Dandaka to kill the demoness TADAKA who has created Havoc over there! Ram chants the mantra and thus he is able to destroy her with his skill in Archery.
# Then Ram on invitation from King Janak of Mithila goes for SITA-SWAYAMVAR. Only Ram breaks the bow, marries Sita and they proceed for Ayodhya,
# Though Ram’s coronation is on the next day but KAIKEYI on the insistence of Manthara poisons her mind. Kaikeyi asks King Dashrath 2 boons that he had promised earlier.
1.Ram is to be exiled for 14 years.
2.Bharat will be the King of Ayodhya.
Hearing this, Dashrath Maharaj is shocked but he is helpless.
#Ram dutifully obeys his father, puts on saffron robes and along with Sita and Lakshman sets off to the forest.
#The various episodes of RAMVANVAAS include meeting Bharat in Panchavati, refusing to go back to rule the kingdom, the unfortunate incident with Shoorpankawhere her nose was chopped off by Lakshman, Ravan disguised as Sage and Mareech (Tadaka’s son) as the GOLDEN DEAR, Sita being Kidnapped by Ravan and taken to Lanka, Ram’s encounter withHanuman and other monkeys, building up the bridge to reach Lanka, Hanuman’s antics in Lanka & the memorable battle with Ravan’s Armies –with Kumbha, Nikumbha , Kumbhakarna , Indrajeet and finally the defeat and death of RAVAN marks the Victory of Justice!!!!
After seeing Ramanand Sagar’s T.V.serial on Ramayana, comparisons are bound to arise. But the fact is, in this Animation, the central characters especially of that of Ram & Sita EMOTE better than wooden Arun Govil and plastic Dipika Chikilia.
Since this flick is less than 120minutes, other stories of Ahalya, Shravan, and Shabari etc have been dropped.
The dialogues are very effective and convey a deeper message. Nikhil Chopra, Raell Padamsee, Rahul Bose, have all lended their voice to the characters and the voice-modulation is perfect.
Music by Vanraj Bhatia scores a high point! Since the songs are sung in Sanskrit, it enriches the whole concept. Sita merrily singing “VAN UPAVAN “ in the forest, the chorus song of “SETHU BANGAYE” when the monkeys are building the bridge for Ram & the final War Cry “JAI JAI JAI” as both the armies meet for the Battle are extremely melodious.
Background Music gels with the movie. The sound effects used in the battlefield bringlife to the war-scenes.
Cinematography is Excellent! Since this one is animation, the creators have brought out the authentic look here. The use of colors, proper lighting, different camera angles to depict a particular scene & zoom shots as when required all together has enhanced this movie.
Screenplay is flawless.
1.The most important scene when Ram hears a Divine Voice after meditating for a week on how to cross the sea to reach Lanka is picturised v well.
2.Also Ram respects the enemy’s dead bodies and offers to give them a respectful burial shows the magnitude of Inner SELF.
3.Hanuman, Sugreev, Nal, Neel, Angad and other thousands of monkeys are absolute delight to watch.
4.Finally the big draw of showing Ravana’s 10 heads in a beastly manner & killing him with SUDARSHAN CHAKRA by Ram is awesome!
Snip! Snip! Snip! The editor has done a good job of cutting away the unwanted scenes to maintain the racy pace of the movie
If u haven’t watched it, pick a DVD/VCD of The Legend of Prince Rama. It is a delight to watch with kids and family!!!!