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RAVANAYAN #1
Ravanayan Issue 1
Once long ago, in ancient India, an epic war was fought between dharma and adharma. It shook an empire stretching across three worlds, ended a centuries-old reign, and marked the beginning of a new age. The victors are worshipped as gods to this day and stories of their greatness are part of everyday conversation. This is the story of the one who lost.
Ravanayan is a bold new comic book series that retells Valmiki's classic epic from the point of view of its antagonist -- Ravana, king of Lanka, leader of the rakshasa nation, conqueror of worlds and vanquisher of gods. Creators Vijayendra Mohanty and Vivek Goel explore the values inherent in the Ramayana and retell the immortal story as something more than a simple tale of good triumphing over evil. This account of Ravana's life re-imagines much of what is held to be true about one of India's most loved tales and in the process, takes the reader on an enchanting quest for the very meanings of right and wrong, good and evil, dharma and adharma.
Ravanayan is a bold new comic book series that retells Valmiki's classic epic from the point of view of its antagonist -- Ravana, king of Lanka, leader of the rakshasa nation, conqueror of worlds and vanquisher of gods. Creators Vijayendra Mohanty and Vivek Goel explore the values inherent in the Ramayana and retell the immortal story as something more than a simple tale of good triumphing over evil. This account of Ravana's life re-imagines much of what is held to be true about one of India's most loved tales and in the process, takes the reader on an enchanting quest for the very meanings of right and wrong, good and evil, dharma and adharma.
- GenresMythologyGraphic Novels
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2011
15 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Vijayendra Mohanty
16 books108 followersVijayendra Mohanty is the co-creator of the comic book series Ravanayan, which was the story of the Ramayana from the point of view of Ravana, its chief antagonist. He also wrote for and ran the YouTube channel Epified, which was about Indian mythology, philosophy, history, and folklore. You may have also seen Epified videos on TV’s Epic Channel. More recently, he wrote issue 1 of the Dehek comic book series published by HCE.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 25, 2016
Interesting concept for sure. But wish we took our literature to some entirely new dimension which involves some part of our mythology and doesn't.
For example, the way Frank Miller refurbished Batman Comics. I know thats too far a goal, but we should try.
This is a very bold attempt and a very different attempt compared to many graphic novels on our mythology but there is one problem - if the author believes Ravana had his own reasons for being himself - he should go ahead with that conviction full steam ahead. He should support Ravana's immature, insecure actions. But the trouble here is that most of the audience won't be ready to accept this.
The sin which our authors do, is to not believe in this opposite, and try and tip toe around Rama. Invariably they end up showing Rama in not so bad light, but in the comic, Rama is the antagonist.
He has to be shown that way.
Well, this maybe because of the sensitive nature of the mythology. That is why treading on pure mythological topics, is a huge challenge. Its mixed with religion and morals and when it comes to morals, there is a good and bad and it takes something really of another dimension to reverse the good and bad.
If Ravana feels bad if he killed some demon animal to save his brother Vibheeshan, then what he feels is the torment of a good conscience and that is a quality representative of Rama. If Rama did cheat and took sugreev's side, then that part where he cheated is an aspect representative of Ravana.
So both had a divided mind, but Rama's was definitely more mature. It isn't a judgment, its just that he absolutely isn't insecure about his position, his 14 year ban - very focussed and goes about his business. So lack of insecurity too is representative of Rama. So now we see, everything which is in essence good and tending towards love is representative of Rama.
To reverse this effect, rather than justifying Ravana's actions, it would be good to show the "good" part in him and vice versa. Well, this book covered a little of that.
Anyway, this is a bold attempt, and great attempt by the author to have started thinking about perspectives in mythology.
For example, the way Frank Miller refurbished Batman Comics. I know thats too far a goal, but we should try.
This is a very bold attempt and a very different attempt compared to many graphic novels on our mythology but there is one problem - if the author believes Ravana had his own reasons for being himself - he should go ahead with that conviction full steam ahead. He should support Ravana's immature, insecure actions. But the trouble here is that most of the audience won't be ready to accept this.
The sin which our authors do, is to not believe in this opposite, and try and tip toe around Rama. Invariably they end up showing Rama in not so bad light, but in the comic, Rama is the antagonist.
He has to be shown that way.
Well, this maybe because of the sensitive nature of the mythology. That is why treading on pure mythological topics, is a huge challenge. Its mixed with religion and morals and when it comes to morals, there is a good and bad and it takes something really of another dimension to reverse the good and bad.
If Ravana feels bad if he killed some demon animal to save his brother Vibheeshan, then what he feels is the torment of a good conscience and that is a quality representative of Rama. If Rama did cheat and took sugreev's side, then that part where he cheated is an aspect representative of Ravana.
So both had a divided mind, but Rama's was definitely more mature. It isn't a judgment, its just that he absolutely isn't insecure about his position, his 14 year ban - very focussed and goes about his business. So lack of insecurity too is representative of Rama. So now we see, everything which is in essence good and tending towards love is representative of Rama.
To reverse this effect, rather than justifying Ravana's actions, it would be good to show the "good" part in him and vice versa. Well, this book covered a little of that.
Anyway, this is a bold attempt, and great attempt by the author to have started thinking about perspectives in mythology.
October 23, 2011
An interesting concept. The whole concept of the myth of Rama as viewed through the eyes of the principal antagonist. I can only wish that there were more authors who took the plunge into the rich waters of India's mythology and come up with surprisingly fat catches !
March 2, 2013
A treat to eyes. A Light read.
December 12, 2022
Amazing art! Loved the work
Story isn’t new if you know Valmiki’s Ramayan.
Author could have explored Ravana’s psyche but then it may have hurt someone’s religious sentiments. So the author played it safe.
Story isn’t new if you know Valmiki’s Ramayan.
Author could have explored Ravana’s psyche but then it may have hurt someone’s religious sentiments. So the author played it safe.
April 6, 2021
An appetizer for the entire series. But it was good. The initial artwork was very good. Then it tapered down a bit. The story... Now that seems to grow more interesting. Let's see.
April 30, 2021
The start was very intriguing. Hope the series lives up to it
February 23, 2014
Awesome Indian graphic novel. Definitely deserves all the accolades for the incredble pictures. GO FOR IT...
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July 10, 2018Good artwork. A very different way of telling Ramayan
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews