New Delhi/IBNS: The first day of the two-day International seminar on Ramayana in SouthEast Asia, organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in Delhi saw scholars exchanging views on the Indian epic Ramayana and its influence on South East Asian countries.
Organised in collaboration with MDSD Foundation and Advents Foundation, the programme began with the unveiling of the exhibition ‘Ram Darbar’ curated by Virasat Art.
Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Thai Embassy, Thirapath Mongkolnavin, Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA and Prof. K. Anil Kumar, HoD, JS Division, lit the lamp to mark the inauguration.
The inaugural dance was performed by Yamini Lakshmanaswamy.
In his welcome address, Dr. Sachichidanand Joshi talked about the relevance of the ancient epic in contemporary times.
Chief guest Thirapath Mongkolnavin spoke on the Thai version of Ramayana, its variation and resonances.
Prof. K. Anil Kumar too spoke about the relevance of the epic in modern times.
This was followed by the unveiling of two books – Ramayana Footprints in South East Asian Culture and Heritage by Anita Bose and Sri Ram Katha by Dr. C. Upendra Rao.
The authors also spoke about their work – about the influence of Ramayana in various SouthEast Asian countries and the influence of the epic on temples, paintings and cultural performances in Cambodia, respectively.
Scholars from Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Montenegro, Sri Lanka and India too spoke on various topics related to the Ramayana.
Prof. Joefe B Santarita of Philippines spoke on ‘Variation and Variants: The Ramayana in contemporary Philippines’.
Prof. Tatjana Burzanovic of Montenegro spoke about the Ramayana from the perspective of European art and tradition.
The seminar was interspersed with cultural events such as traditional dance performances based on episodes of Ramayana. Mudra Dance group from Kolkata, India and Buppha Devi Dance School, Cambodia presented the episodes in traditional dance styles.
The event was moderated and emceed by Dr. Janardan Ghosh.
According to the organisers, a large number of scholars, college and senior school students registered and participated in the seminar.
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