Folk Ballet of India

Contents: Introduction. 1. Salutations to Lord Vishnu. 2. Scene : the Earth and Vishnu. 3. Nativity celebrations of Sri Rama. 4. Worshipping Gauri. 5. Sita Swayamvara. 6. Drama : Manthara and Kaikeyi. 7. Drama: Dashratha, Kaikeyi and Kaushalya. 8. Dashratha’s lamentation. 9. The boatman episode. 10. Rama-Bharata meeting. 11. Ram-Sita in Panchvati. 12. Drama: Shoorpanakha and Rama. 13. Drama. Ravana and Shoorpanakha. 14. Drama: Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Ravana. 15. In Sita’s search Rama and Lakshmana reached to Shabri. 16. The Shabri episode. 17. Rama-Lakshmana, Hanuman, Sugreeva and other monkey soldiers’ plan to reach Lanka. 18. a). Ramakatha in Ashok Vatika. b). Rama-Hanumana dialogue. c). Installation of Shivlinga at Rameshwaram and construction. 19. At Rameshwaram, Rama worshipped God Sita. 20. Sounds of Trumpets and war cries. 21. a). Lakshmana-Meghnada combat-I. b). Sri Rama’s grief over Lakshmana’s condition. c). Lakshmana-Meghnada combat-II. 22. Rama-Ravana encounter. 23. Festivities on Rama’s return to Ayodhya. 24. Sri Rama’s grand coronation ceremony. 25. Sri Rama’s coronation.

"The book Folk Ballet of India presents Lord Rama’s life, character and accomplishments in a series of emotionally gratifying and visually appealing vignettes. It narrates the story through commentaries in English, accompanied by appropriate illustrations in the form of beautiful colour photographs of song and action sequences. After offering salutations and obeisance to Lord Vishnu, the author unfolds the story of Lord Rama, by explaining the reason for His incarnation in human form.

"Lord Rama, the human incarnation of God Vishnu, is popular and worshipped by Hindus not only in India, but also in countries such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Jawa, Sumatra, Bali etc.

"Through the commentaries and illustrations, the author uncovers to the reader, in lucid style, the story of Lord Rama, in simple and understandable sequences. The birth of Sri Rama, his education under sage Viswamitra, breaking of the bow of King Janaka, accepting Sita as consort, cancellation of his coronation as the King and exile to the forests for fourteen years by the cunning machinations of Manthara, the salvation achieved by the boatman Nishadraj, death of Dashratha, Bharata’s penance, wrath of Ravana for insulting his sister Shoorpanakha, abduction of Sita, death of Jatayu in the process of attempting to protect Sita from the clutches of Ravana, salvation to Shabri, meetings with Hanuman and Sugreeva, Hanuman’s devastation of Ashok Vatika, fierce battles at Lanka leading to the liquidation of Ravana and return to Ayodhya with Sita etc., have been depicted in an appreciable manner.

"The book quotes slokas in Hindi at appropriate places, with transliterations and paraphrasing in English. Moreover, depending upon the situations, drama scenes have also been included at several places. The book is rich with nearly 150 extremely good quality colour plates." (jacket)