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Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is an anime film that captures the narrative beauty of The Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic. Created under the supervision of the Japanese filmmaker Yugo Sako, this film was denied a theatrical release in India in the early 1990s. However, a 4K remastered version is set to hit the Indian theatres in October 2024. What has changed in the last thirty years? To understand, one has to make a wee journey backward.
The year was 1992. The Cold War had just ended, with the disintegration of the USSR. In India, the Congress alliance was in power. The religious tension was running high in the country, following the demolition of the Babri Masjid (mosque), in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. In the original epic, Ayodhya has been delineated as Ramajanmabhoomi or 'the birthplace of Rama'. A faction of Hindu right-wingers was adamant in founding a Rama temple at the site of demolition.
Here, I would like to mention for the uninitiated that mythology and epic narratives in the Indic culture are a part of the living, breathing tradition. Rama and Sita, the protagonist couple of the epic are worshipped as deities in numerous temples, especially in the northern part of India. During the airtime of Ramanand Sagar's mega series Ramayan (1987), the elderly audience would often sit in front of the television with meditative and religious fervor.
Globalization was slowly gaining momentum in the nation. However, it was an era before the advent of the internet and the digital medium. Televised cartoon content such as the Ducktales were popular among Indian juvenilia. From 1995 onwards, Cartoon Network introduced a host of titles such as Dexter's Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Courage, the Cowardly Dog, and Captain Planet to Indian children. The right-wing faction misconstrued the anime adaptation of the epic as a trivialization of the 'great tradition'. Unaware like the rest of the Indian audience, they confused the visual/comic 'mode' of anime (which caters to both juvenile and mature audiences) with the art of cartooning (largely meant for children, unless they are political satires). Barred from the theatres, the anime film was aired on the Doordarshan at first, followed by several telecasts over the years on Cartoon Network. Even though unfamiliar with the visual conventions of anime, the film has gathered a cult following over the years, for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of the narrative.
In 2024, the much-coveted Rama temple in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, backed by the patronage of the right-wing that currently holds power in India. Then why the sudden fanfare? Has the perception of anime changed in the last thirty years?
The most apparent reason behind the initiation of the remastering, multilingual dubbing, and theatrical releasing is to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Indo-Japan diplomatic ties, which was marked in 2022. Adipurush, a multi-starrer, high-budget, controversial adaptation of the epic hit the theatres in 2023. This year, another Bollywood rendition with a popular cast is underway. Between the two, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is set to be released during the festive season of Dussehra/Durga Puja/Diwali, which has strong cultural and business implications. Celebrity screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, who has worked on blockbuster productions such as the Baahubali franchise (quite popular in Japan, incidentally), has been a part of the creative team in this makeover. Swarajya Mag, the right-wing monthly claims that many Bollywood films are having theatrical re-releases to rejuvenate their fanbases. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is no different. However, there are layers to it, beneath the veneer of simplicity.
To look at the big picture, there is no denying that the soft power of anime/manga/allied popular cultural industries have become a global force. The Indian youth population presents the possibility of a burgeoning market. Netflix India hosts over 200 anime titles, including originals such as Drifting Home and Castlevania. Crunchyroll has an Indian president, Mr. Rahul Purini, and has inaugurated its Indian headquarters in Hyderabad. Reliance Industries' Jio TV app simulcasts content from ANIMAX from Japan. Anime films such as Weathering with You, Suzume, The Boy and the Heron have been screened at Indian cinema houses, 2019 onwards. Corporate bookstore chains have started shelving a wide variety of manga titles. I have engaged with the idea of globalization vis-a-vis anime and manga in earlier articles on this blog.
Recently, upon the Ramon Magsaysay Award being conferred on Hayao Miyazaki in 2024, Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman commented on the constructive influence of anime in her congratulatory tweet.
Perhaps the authorities have realized over the years that denial would be counterproductive. The well-timed release of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama adds to the momentum of the expanding Indian otaku (geek) manga and anime fandom. For now, they eagerly await the launch of one of their early anime favorites to be enjoyed on the big screen with surround sound!
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