"Hey, Ram" is one of the most well-known quotes the world over. The title of my blog plays with it to establish that "Ram hai", that Ram exists everywhere, in the various Ramkatha's , in their multiple different interpretations, and most importantly, in all our activities, daily as well as the unique ones. Since Ram is thus everywhere, "sab jaga hai Ram", life becomes meaningful , "zindagi me ram hai"!
Indeed there are as many Ramkatha's as there are listeners, "Ram hai", here in India, and abroad, especially far away in the far east. In fact, there is a version that is absolutely pro Ravan! The folk version by the women looks at the ideal Ramcharit from the perspective of the lonely Sita in the deep forest!
Well, everything and everybody in the Ramkatha is ideal and idealistic. In every relationship of his, Shri Ram himself is perfection for sure. So are the other major as well as minor characters! They all are ideal! We can argue that as for Ram, he absolutely personalizes perfection!
In this brief blog, i am going to discuss a few aspects which i find interesting. I feel the Ramkatha is interesting because it is very inclusive, and without any prejudices in the process. "Ram hai" because for him, all are equal and important, the smallest squirrel, a bird of the rare species, and the generally cartoonish monkeys as well.
"Ram hai" because in every event, he communicates well, openly and democratically. Personally he is himself all that is perfection, and makes ideal(istic) whosoever comes in to contact with him. The tribals like Shabari to the greatest rishis, all are influenced by him, and always put up their Sunday best behaviour in their relationship with him . Well, the Sita incidents need a lot of elaborate discussion, and let us reserve it for yet another day.
Oh, yes, in the caste and identity obsessed world today, it would be worth remembering that the poet who wrote the Mahakavya/epic comes from a very lowly background to become the best Rishi/sage, and that, too, only through his 'karma' and 'dharma'! Well, the hero of his epic is somebody who is a kshatriya, and yet has the best virtues associated with the Brahmins. May be, such details do have a tremendous persuasive power. This way so much 'Ram hai' in the story that "Hey Ram" becomes a celebration of the equality of/for/by all, despite the deceptive appearences to the contrary.
Personally though, i am fond of his childhood, and the symbolism therein that inevitably energises us all. 'The shimmering full moon, and its mirror reflection" incident in my opinion shows us ways of perception. His killing of the rakshasas who disturb the yadnya shows, for example, unsettling those who oppose the social harmony. I can go on and on explicating my interpretation, but time and the readers' patient indulgence could be real limited, right?
Pratima@ Hey Ram, Ram hai,indeed, Ram hai, in every incident in the Ramkatha, and their (re-)interpretation as a call for an open, equal and democratic polity!
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