This is a Javanese (Indonesian) rod-puppet performance of a scene from the Rama epic.
Author: wpengine
Hanuman opens his chest to reveal Rama and Sita
This episode includes the moment when Hanuman tears open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita in his heart.
Ravana seizes Sita
This central Javanese (Indonesian) classical dance-drama depicts Ravana seizing Sita from the Rama epic.
Hanuman fetches the healing herbs
This episode depicts Hanuman leaping over the mountains where Shiva and other gods dwell. Reaching the mountains’ peak, he spies the magic medicinal herbs. Unsure which herbs are the right ones, he breaks off the entire mountaintop and flies back with it.
Hanuman leaps to the Himalayas
In this Thai classical dance-drama, at 2:21:48 we see Rama caring for his injured brother Lakshmana. Hanuman is dispatched to fetch the magic healing herbs, leaping off at 2:23:43. At 2:25:18, he flies and cartwheels through the air, then has an encounter with the sun god. He lands (2:32:03) and begins to catch glimpses of the magic herbs, which seem to be hiding and tantalizing him. Eventually, he grows to a huge size and grasps the entire mountaintop. He returns with the herbs, which are then crushed into a potion and applied to Lakshmana’s wound. Hanuman is able to pull out the spear that had caused Lakshmana’s injury, and Lakshmana recovers.
Hanuman breaks off the mountaintop with the healing herbs
In this excerpt from an Indo-Japanese animated movie, Hanuman searches for healing herbs. Unsure which herbs are the right ones, he breaks off the entire mountaintop and flies back with it to cure Lakshmana.
Hanuman returns with the healing herbs to cure Lakshmana
Rama laments over his gravely injured brother. Finally (at 18:38), Hanuman flies in with the mountaintop of magic healing herbs. The herbs are rubbed onto Lakshmana’s body and he recovers.
Sita’s trial by fire
Sita, released from captivity at last, is brought before Rama. He doubts her faithfulness and rejects her. She insists that she undergo a trial by fire to prove herself. She enters the fire but is unharmed. The god of fire extinguishes the flames and affirms Sita’s truthfulness and purity.