Living Ramayanas: Exploring the Plurality of the Epic in Wayanad and the World – By Azeez Tharuvana (Author)

Step into an extraordinary landscape where mythology dissolves into geography and oral tradition challenges the singular boundaries of classical literature. In Living Ramayanas, distinguished academic, editor, and tribal studies scholar Dr. Azeez Tharuvana delivers a groundbreaking, brilliantly researched investigation into the magnificent plurality of the Ramayana epic. Channeling the revolutionary insight of the legendary scholar A.K. Ramanujan—who famously maintained that India’s vast heritage is made up of thousands of unique, independent "tellings" rather than mere variations of a single Sanskrit text—Tharuvana uncovers a vivid world where Rama's story remains dynamic, organic, and deeply woven into the daily lives of regional communitiesCentering his study on the mist-shrouded hills of Wayanad, Kerala, the author documents an ancient, vibrant community consciousness that firmly believes the crucial events of the epic unfolded right in their local landscape. Here, the physical environment itself serves as a living, unwritten archive: the hermitage at Ashramkolly is revered as Valmiki’s ashram, Jadayattakavu marks the exact spot where Sita descended into the earth, and local landmarks preserve the physical scars left behind by Hanuman’s tail. Yet, Tharuvana reveals that Wayanad does not hold just one story; rather, it is home to multiple, distinct oral traditions—such as the innovative Adiya Ramayana, Chetti Ramayana, and Sitayana—which directly mirror the unique social relations, struggles, and values of each tribal and regional community. Written in a clear, accessible, and profoundly engaging voice, this book bridges these regional oral treasures against the broader backdrop of popular global adaptations, mapping out a stunning new perspective: that this timeless epic is fundamentally a dynamic social text rather than a rigid religious dogma. It stands as an absolute must-read for cultural historians, literature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a screen-free reading experience that celebrates the beautiful, pluralistic soul of Indian heritagether than getting lost in dense academic jargon or intimidating walls of text, Living Ramayanas organizes its deep cultural field research across four beautifully scannable and illuminating thematic pillars: