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This phase shifts focus to the monkey kingdom (Vanara) and the introduction of Hanuman, arguably the most popular character in the series.
The forest life, encounters with sages and demons, and the abduction of Sita by Ravana. index of ramayan 1987
An index of this series is incomplete without acknowledging the legendary actors who became synonymous with these divine figures: as Shri Ram Deepika Chikhalia as Mata Sita Sunil Lahri as Lakshman Dara Singh as Hanuman Arvind Trivedi as Ravana Why the 1987 Index Matters Today
The televised Ramayan (DD National, 1987–1988) reached an estimated 82% of Indian television viewers at its peak. However, analyzing its 78 episodes (each 25–30 minutes) requires more than plot summary. An —a systematic reference to episodes, characters, themes, and events—allows scholars to trace narrative recurrences, pacing, and didactic emphases. Unlike a simple table of contents, a proper index of Ramayan (1987) is a navigational and analytical tool. This paper proposes a tripartite index: (1) Chronological Episode Index (with arc markers), (2) Character Appearance Index , and (3) Thematic/Moral Index . Drawing on narratology (Genette, 1980) and television studies (Newcomb & Hirsch, 1983), we demonstrate how the index reveals the serial’s deliberate construction as a modern paath (recitation). However, analyzing its 78 episodes (each 25–30 minutes)
The series is structured around the traditional "Kands" (books) of the epic, primarily based on Valmiki's Ramayan and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas.
Mapping the Epic: The Structural and Thematic Index of Ramayan (1987) This paper proposes a tripartite index: (1) Chronological
The 1987 television series Ramayan , directed by Ramanand Sagar, remains a landmark in Indian broadcasting history. While much scholarship focuses on its cultural and political impact, a systematic structural index of the series offers a unique lens into its narrative mechanics. This paper constructs and analyzes a functional index of the 78 episodes, categorizing entries by episode number, major narrative arcs (Bal Kand to Uttara Kand), key characters, iconic scenes (e.g., the Panchavati exile, Sita’s agni pariksha ), and moral/philosophical leitmotifs. The index reveals a deliberate pacing strategy: the first 30 episodes establish cosmic order and exile, the middle 30 focus on the Kishkindha and Sundar Kands (featuring Hanuman), and the final 18 compress the war and post-war resolutions. Furthermore, the index exposes narrative symmetries—such as the parallel abductions of Sita and the illusionary Sita—that are central to the serial’s theological argument. We conclude that a properly constructed index transforms Ramayan (1987) from a simple retelling into a complex ritualistic text, where repetition and episodic structuring serve pedagogical and devotional ends.
In India, the official streaming rights for Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan are held by . As an OTT platform, it provides an excellent index of the series, with clear episode titles, thumbnails, and summaries. A subscription to Disney+ Hotstar will give you ad-free streaming in high definition.
: Meeting with Bharat at Chitrakoot; installation of Ram’s sandals on the throne. 3. Aranya & Kishkindha Kanda (The Search) Episode 30 : Encounter with Shurpanakha. Episode 32 : Sita Haran (Abduction) and the death of Jatayu. Episode 35–36 : Meeting with Hanuman and friendship with Sugriva. Episode 38 : Killing of Bali. 4. Sundara & Yuddha Kanda (The War) Episode 43–44 : Hanuman reaches Lanka and meets Sita in Ashok Vatika. Episode 46 : Lanka Dahan (Burning of Lanka). Episode 52–53 : Construction of the Ram Setu (Bridge). Episode 62 : Kumbhakaran Vadh (Killing of Kumbhakaran). Episode 71 : Indrajit Vadh (Killing of Meghnad). Episode 75 : Ravan Vadh (Killing of Ravana) and the end of the battle. 5. Final Episodes Episode 76 : Sita’s Agni-pariksha (Trial by fire). Episode 78 : Return to Ayodhya and the Coronation of Shri Ram (Ram Rajya). of a specific section, or perhaps information on the 2020 record-breaking re-broadcast
All 78 episodes of Ramayan (1987), as available on the official Shri Ramayan Television series (Ramanand Sagar’s original cut).