In Laos, among Lao people, Ramayana is known as Phra Lak Phra Ram. Phra Lak Phra Ram is named after two principal characters, the brothers Phra Lak, or Lakshaman, and Phra Ram, or Rama. Since Phra Ram is considered the hero, it is believed the altered name was chosen for euphony.
Lao legends attribute to the introduction of the Phra Ram Xadôk via the first king of Lane Xang, Chao Fa Ngoum, who arrived with his soldiers, artists, dancers, concubines, poets from musicians from Angkor who would have been familiar with the Reamker. Yet Indic civilizations knew of what is now Yunnan in China, as “Gandhara” no later than the second century B.C.[3]
Lao people venerate Hindu temples, often decorated in Ramayana and the Mahabharata motifs, such as at Vat Phou in Champassak.
Named after Shri Ram's son Lav, the ancient Laos used to be a part of Hindu Khmer Empire.
The Lao version of Ramayan is called Phra Lak Phra Lam, meaning Lakshmana and Ram.
The story of Lakshman and Shri Ram is told as the previous life of Buddha in the Lao version of Ramayan.
Evidences:
1- Several Buddhist monasteries and stupas of Laos have sculptures depicting Ramayana in stone as well as in wood panels.
2- There are sculptures of Rama and Krishna and other avatars of Vishnu in the Shiva temple at UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Wat Phu Champasak.
The a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex of Vat Phou is one of the last influences of that period.
Source/Credits: Meenakshi Sharan, Ayodhya Foundation, Global Ramayana Connect on Facebook
