In this Javanese (Indonesian) classical dance-drama, Rama and Hanuman defeat Ravana.

This Cambodian classical dance-drama depicts a battle between Rama and Ravana.

Annual enactments of the Rama epic take place in many Indian cities. They usually conclude with huge effigies of Ravana and his generals being burned. Here the destruction of the effigy of Ravana begins at 2:13.

In this performance, a beautiful golden deer, really a demon is disguise, approaches Rama and Sita to lure Rama away and leave Sita unprotected. Sita is entranced by it and appeals to Rama to hunt it for her.

This episode depicts Rama hunting the illusory golden deer sent to lure him away from Sita. When Rama shoots it the deer changes back into its demonic form and dies, but only after pretending, with his voice, to be Rama and calling for help. Sita asks Lakshmana to go see about Rama; he is hesitant, but agrees. Before he leaves Sita he uses an arrow to draw a magic protective circle around her. After Lakshmana leaves, Ravana comes on the scene and takes the form of a holy man to trick Sita into letting down her guard. Ravana is able to grab Sita and carry her off. The heroic bird Jatayus tries to rescue Sita from Ravana’s clutches. Ravana attack him with a huge sword and deals a mortal blow. Meanwhile Rama and Lakshmana return to their hut and find that Sita has vanished. From Ravana’s flying chariot Sita throws down a bundle of jewelry as a clue for those who will search for her.

In this Burmese classical dance-drama, the golden deer capers to lure Rama away from Sita.

See how South Indian shadow-puppet performers manipulate their very large, hinged figures behind the screen, and how the shadows look on the front of the screen.

This clip, from a performance in Thailand, demonstrates how performers manipulate large shadow figures while dancing.

This Cambodian shadow-puppet performance of scenes from the Rama epic shows how the shadows look on the front of the screen.

The painter/performer Moyna Chitrakar follows a tradition of retelling Rama epic stories in chant or song while unrolling an illustrated scroll and pointing to the scenes being described. Copyright © 2011 Tara Books.