The Best Retellings of the Indian epic Ramayana you need to read

Ever wondered what would happen if Sita picked up the bow instead of Ram?

Imagine if the traditional roles in the Ramayana were reversed, or if the legendary characters got a fresh, modern perspective. 

This ageless epic has had a fascinating makeover in recent years, giving classic stories new life and altering our opinions on well-known characters.

These retellings are changing the storytelling world, from feminist re-imaginings that give the women of the Ramayana a voice to modern adaptations that bring the epic into the present day.

The old mythologies are being re-envisioned, and the familiar narratives are being seen through a whole new lens.

Get ready to dive into books that challenge the norm of storytelling by presenting unusual viewpoints and unexpected twists.

Let’s explore how contemporary writers are reinterpreting the Ramayana for a new generation of readers. I promise your outlook on this grand epic will change forever!

Over the years, I’ve gathered a list of books that explore this narrative through other central characters, giving us fresh perspectives and deeper insights into the story.

Below are the modern Ramayana retellings that I absolutely recommend.

Modern Ramayana Retellings

The Living Legend by Vayu Naidu

Ramayana Tales From Far and Near

Taking an entirely fresh approach to the Ramayana, Vayu Naidu's The Living Legend presents it as a "living legend" that nevertheless has appeal with modern reading tastes. This retelling explores the characters and concepts of the Ramayana in depth rather than only reciting the events.

The writing is such that the epic seems current and relevant. It asks readers to view these old stories from the perspective of contemporary culture. Exploring Surpanakha's wickedness or Vibhishana's genuine concern for justice was a joy to read!

Naidu portrays the characters in a really creative way. By revealing the complexity of both Ram and Ravana, we are challenged to think of the idea of good against evil. This retelling is perfect for those who enjoy exploring the complicated nature of mythical history while establishing a connection with human emotions.

Valmiki’s Women by Anand Neelkanthan

Five Tales From The Ramayana

Valmiki's Women by Anand Neelkanthan offers a new feminist view of the Ramayana. The storylines of the epic's lesser-known but incredibly important female characters—such as Manthara, Shanta, Tataka, and Bhoomija—are highlighted in this rendition. The usual retelling has long ignored these women, but Neelkanthan's book changes the spotlight and gives them the importance that they deserve.

Neelkanthan challenges readers to reconsider the roles that women performed in the Ramayana by putting those women at the forefront. Our understanding of the epic's main concepts of duty, honor, and power is redefined by these retellings, which are full with intricate backstories that highlight their bravery, fortitude, and selflessness.

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Feminist Ramayana Stories

Sitayana by Amit Majumdar

What if the characters in Ramayana could tell you their own stories?

And not just Sita or the fallen women from the epic but stories by Hanuman, Indra, Varun, Lakshman, and even the little squirrel who contributed to building the bridge across the ocean.

Did you know how Rama was offered a chariot by Indra that was more magical than the mystical Pushpak of Ravana? Did you know who abandoned Sita as a baby in a field belonging to the kingdom of King Janaka?

Amit Majumdar tells the story of Ramayana starting from the Ashoka Vatika where Sita has been imprisoned by Ravana. 

Majumdar’s retelling is deeply imaginative, weaving in lesser-known details of the Ramayana. For instance, he explores the relationship between Sita and Rama in new ways, showing the complexities of their connection. The novel also sheds light on the magical, mystical aspects of the epic, offering surprising twists that captivate the reader.

Short Indian Books you must read

The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee

Ramayana is a famous epic in India and worldwide.

Everyone knows the story of how Ram and Sita were married. How the evil Kaikeye on the eve of his coronation exiled Ram to 14 years of banishment. How, when wandering the woods of Panchavati, Ravana kidnapped Sita and held her in Lanka. And also how with the aid of a battalion of monkeys and bears, Ram crossed the ocean, defeated the powerful Ravan and brought back Sita, albeit after a trial to establish her innocence after living with an outlander for a time.

But have you read this story through the eyes of the most monumental character – Sita?

The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee is a gripping retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective. Through this retelling, readers may experience the epic from her point of view, providing an intimate and empowering look into her feelings, challenges, and victories.

Divakaruni creates fresh meanings for well-known events by granting Sita the agency and voice that conventional retellings have frequently denied her. Themes of exile, loyalty, and selflessness are explored in this rendition of the Ramayana, which makes it a very poignant and thought-provoking read.

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee

Ramayana Adaptations

The Liberation of Sita by Volga

Translated from Telugu by T.Vijay Kumar C. Vijayashree

By emphasizing Sita's quest for freedom, Volga adopts a daring, feminist approach to the narrative in The Liberation of Sita.

This retelling completely reimagines Sita's tale. Reinterpreting it from a feminine point of view. Sita is shown as a woman who yearns for independence on her own terms even if she is admired as a symbol of purity and sacrifice.

The book questions long-held beliefs about the epic by challenging the original story of Sita's devotion to Ram. It reimagines her as a figure of power and independence. This compelling retelling challenges readers to rethink the limits of honor, responsibility, and freedom.

This a short read to put your thinking gears to work.

Translated Indian Books

Kaikeye by Vaishnavi Patel

How would you like to know the true story behind the most vilified queen in all of Bharat Varsha?

A queen who decided to ask her husband for what she thought best in the era where dictators were not just men but even gods.

But did you know that before she acted in her famously unpopular event where she banned Lord Rama, Kaikeye was brought up as a motherless princess? She was not just beautiful, but even intelligent and a brave warrior comparable to any man. There was a reason she became King Dashratha’s favorite queen and advisor in matters of the kingdom. And she also happened to save his life.

This recent release by Vaishnava Patel has become a favorite read for many book bloggers and Booktubers and casts a dazzling light on the once-believed to-be evil queen.

Instead of portraying her as a one-dimensional antagonist, the book reimagines her as a woman who is torn between love, duty, and power. This gives readers a much more nuanced understanding of her choices and the political dynamics at play.

Ramayana-inspired Novels

Ramayana by R.K. Narayan

The Ramayana was penned by Valmiki in Sanskrit, a long time in 1500 B.C. or nearly around that. The entire work ran as long as 24,000 stanzas. Since then numerous authors and bards have created their interpretations and retelling of this versed epic.

The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan is a contemporary classic that is adored for its generosity and simplicity. The tale is presented succinctly in Narayan's retelling of the Ramayana, in contrast to the epic and more elaborate versions. It makes the Ramayana understandable to a wider audience while retaining its main ideas and characters.

Although Narayan's narrative is simple, it is full with emotional and cultural layers. Readers who are unfamiliar with the Ramayana or who want a more appealing retelling of the tale will find it ideal. His emphasis on the characters' humanity helps readers understand their motives and challenges on a deeper level.

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Uttara by Arshia Sattar

The earliest text of the Ramayana consists of seven books. The foremost and the ultimate books, Bala Kanda and Uttara Kanda, the author believes, were subsequent additions to the remaining five Kandas. 

The word Uttara has numerous meanings, among them, ‘ after ’, ‘ epilogue ’, ‘ ultimate ’, and ‘ answer ’. Arshia Sattar's Uttara, which focuses on the Ramayana's aftermath, presents a novel viewpoint. The effects of the Great War and the difficulties Ram and Sita encounter in the post-Ramayana world are examined in this retelling. The moral and emotional quandaries that arise after the epic's conclusion are examined by Sattar via the perspective of Uttara, Ram's daughter-in-law.

This book offers readers a contemplative interpretation of the Ramayana by exploring the events of the epic's enduring impact on subsequent generations. It challenges readers to consider the consequences of Ram's choices as well as the unseen tales of the women in his life.

Why These Retellings Matter

The Ramayana is an epic that has withstood the test of time, but its stories and characters are constantly evolving. These modern retellings offer fresh insights, reimagine familiar characters, and open up the epic to new interpretations.

Whether you're a fan of the original or looking to explore it from a new angle, these books are a great way to dive deeper into the Ramayana’s timeless themes.