Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay literary adaptation of the Hindu Ramayana epic in the form of a hikayat.[1][2]
Folk versions of the Ramayana were told through dance dramas and by penglipurlara (professional storytellers). The wayang kulit (shadow theatre) adaptation, called Hikayat Maharaja Wana, was one of the most important shadow-plays. Puppeteers would pick the most exciting episodes for their shows, particularly the scenes relating to the marriage of Seri Rama, the abduction of Siti Dewi (Sita), the final battles in Langkapuri (Lanka), and the heroine’s rescue by her husband.
Some of the characters are named as :
- Seri Rama – Vishnu’s reincarnation and eldest son of Raja Dasarata
- Siti Dewi – Seri Rama’s wife; adoptive daughter of Maharisi Kali
- Baradan, Laksmana/Latsamana and Citradan – Rama’s half-brothers; the incarnations of Wisnu’s possessions
- Dasarata Maharaja – Father of Seri Rama and his brothers and the great-son of Prophet Adam.
- Mandu Daki/Mandudari – Ravana’s wife. Meghanada’s (Indrajit) mother.
- Hanoman– incarnation of lord Siwa
- Balya Raja – King of Lagur-Katagina (Kiskindha)
- Sugriwa/Sugirwa – Balya’s younger brother
- Seri Anggada – Balya’s son
- Annila/Raja Tilam – leader of an army of monkeys.
- Bibusanam – Rawana’s estranged brother
- Jambuwana – King of the bears
The rulers of the Malacca Malaya sultanate claimed to be the descendants of the Chola kings.
Many princes there have names ending with Cholan or Chulan.
The oldest version of Ramayan in Malaysia is ‘Hikayat Seri Ram’.
Malay versions glorifies Lakshman more than Shri Ram.
Malaya people adopted Ramayan to their micro culture & Dashrath here becomes the great-grandson of the Prophet Adam and Ravan receives boons from Allah instead of Brahma.
Source/Credits: Meenakshi Sharan, Ayodhya Foundation, Global Ramayana Connect on Facebook
