The Living Legend: Ramayana Tales from Far and Near
- Publisher : Penguin Random House
- Publishing year : January 2024
- Binding : Paperback
- ISBN : 9780143466031
- Imprint : Penguin Random House
- Age Group : Young Adult
- Language : English
Rama is all of sixteen when Sage Viswamithra takes him to the Dandaka forest, with Lakshmana accompanying them. At first ...
Rama is all of sixteen when Sage Viswamithra takes him to the Dandaka forest, with Lakshmana accompanying them. At first, the spirit of adventure fills the two teenage brothers, but when they enter the forest in broad daylight, it is a curtain of pitch darkness. The smell of decaying flesh, flashes of fire, and the gloom of animals, birds and foliage in terror affect Rama deeply. For the first time, he feels fear. He hears derisive laughter--is it from the forest, or is it within him?
The first lesson he recalls from the sage Vashistha is: What is the task at hand? How can he understand the gravity of what is happening? Is the earth calling out for help? He gathers his fragmented thoughts and, feeling for the arrow from his quiver, shoots at a shape-shifting demon who terrorizes the forest.
The Living Legend is packed with twists and reflections and hosts the strength of relationships with nature that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana make to restore balance in life. The forest of inner evolution was transformative in their youth, and it is in our time too.
Dr Vayu Naidu is a storyteller and performer. She was awarded Europe’s first PhD in performance oral tradition from the University of Leeds. She is founder and artistic director of the Vayu Naidu Company based in the UK. She has performed at storytelling, literature and music festivals around the world.
