International Ramayana Adaptions

Diwali might be over … but what if I told you our Rāmāyaṇa (रामायण / rāmāyaṇa) isn’t just celebrated in India every year?

As it travelled internationally, over a dozen countries have made their own versions as part of their culture. So here’s the tea.

1) Kakawin Rāmāyaṇa

This is the long kakawin (ककविन् / kakavīn = Javanese poetic metre) written in the Central Java island during the 9th-10th centuries CE (circa 856–930 CE).

In this version, local deities and characters appear (for instance the Punokawan clown-servants) and the narrative diverges from the Indian original.

If you go to Indonesia, you can catch the shadow-puppet (वायांग / wayang) theatre show version of it & even a ballet in Yogyakarta celebrating the story.

You’ll also find the characters from it carved in the stones of Indonesia’s landmarks, such as the Prambanan Temple near Yogyakarta, which is a must visit.

2) Ramakien

This is Thailand’s own version, and its so culturally important that it has become their national epic.

Locally the hero is called Phra Ram (พระราม / phrá-rām), his wife Nang Sida (นางสีดา / nāng sīdā) and the demon-king is Totsakan (ทศกัณฐ์ / thósakăn).

Its written form was completed under King Rama I (รัชกาล ที่ 1) of the Chakri dynasty in the late 18th century (1799–1807) though oral versions go back earlier.

They believe in it just like us, so much so that the Thai Kings still adopt the name “Rama” / “Phra Ram” as a symbolic link to this story.

3) Reamker

This is Cambodia’s version (Khmer: រាមកេរ្តិ៍ / rāam kērt). It means “Glory of Rama”.

It’s deeply embedded in their local Khmer art, dance-drama, and temple reliefs (for example at Angkor Wat).

In Reamker the hero is Preah Ream, his brother Preah Leak, his wife Neang Seda, and the demon-king Krong Reap.

4) Phra Lak Phra Lam

In Laos this version plays a key role. The names are localised (Pha Lak/Phra Lak = Lakṣmaṇa, Pha Lam/Phra Lam = Rāma) and the text often ties into Buddhist Jātaka (जातक / jātaka) tales of the Buddha’s past lives.

Plus … there are many more adaptations: Malaysia has the Malay Hikāyat Seri Rama, Myanmar, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Nepal and Sri Lanka (where the Buddhist recasting as the “Dasharatha Jātaka” exists) all have versions.

So yes - our Ramayana is not just our story. It’s a gift to the world: serving as a reminder that good always wins over evil.