(Shows different representations of Rama- Image provided by: Wikimedia Commons)
My Dearest Mother Kaushalya,
I hope all is well with you and father, King Dasharatha. Also, give my regards to Queen Sumitra and Queen Kaikeyi. Please let Queen Sumitra know that Lakshmana is doing well and we have defeated the rakshasas.
It's quite an interesting tale mother. When Vishvamitra informed me I was the only one who could help him get rid of Subahu and Maricha, I was quite surprised but knew it was my duty as the son of the King to help. However, when we reached here, Thataka, the mother of Maricha, was the evil rakshasa behind much of Vishvamitra's worries. We have destroyed her. The sages at the hermitage have been very kind and adorned me with fine jewels and praise.
Mother, I also have to tell the most important thing of all. I met a beautiful young lady and I will make her my wife. She is Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. King Janaka set forth the condition that whoever can bend Shiva's bow, would get his daughter's hand in marriage. I was able to skillfully do so and will be marrying Sita, making her your daughter-in-law.
As I will be returning soon, I know my father was preparing to give me the Kingdom to govern. Unfortunately, I was also given word that, poisoned by Manthara horrible words, Queen Kaikeyi convinced the King to give the empire to her son, Prince Bharata. I understand that the King is upset by this condition, but I do not wish to do anything that would make Queen Kaikeyi upset, as I have much respect for her. The condition she set of sending me to the banishment for fourteen years to live in the jungle is hard, but I will accept it. I know you will be hurt by this decision, but know that I do this in order to not let the King go down on his promise to Queen Kaikeyi. With this mother, I bid you my regards. We will confront these issues upon my return.
Kindest,
Rama
Authors note: I have taken Part A of the Ramayana from the PDE and transformed it into a letter. In my version, Rama writes to his mother Kaushalya to tell her about all that he has been going through.
Bibliography: Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition
Sources used: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.
Hi Amandeep! I like your idea of turning the Ramayana into a letter between Rama and his mother. It summarized the major points of the story really well, while being an original work in and of itself. I think presenting the story in this way adds something more personal to it. I look forward to reading more of your stories, as you give the characters a new voice.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your method of perspective by means of a first person view of the story. Most stories I have read along the topic of yours, as well as the one that I have written, I have only really seen third person, so it is really interesting how you made the story seem so much more realistic by using this point of view!
ReplyDeleteHey!! I loved how you turned this story into a letter, it was so interesting! It was a different approach than I have mostly seen which made it so much more fun to read. The first hand account also really sucks in the reader in, or at least for me it did. I can't wait to read more from you in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Amandeep,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting way to retell a story. I will definitely use in my next story. I like how you were able to really show Rama's emotions in a first person perspective, especially since the Ramayana is written in third-person. This also shows how loving Rama is to his mothers and the close relationship between him and Queen Kaushalya.
I hope to see you experiment in the future with more writing styles!