Echoes of the Ramayana: Cultural and Heritage Influences in Eight Southeast Asian Nations

Ramayana has served as a foundational catalyst for the burgeoning literary and artistic traditions of Southeast Asian countries, shaping their cultural expressions through various art forms such as drama, puppetry, and other performing arts.
Countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines regularly stage plays based on the Ramayana, underscoring its enduring presence in their cultural narratives. The influence of the Ramayana extends beyond performance arts; it permeates every aspect of cultural life, from visual arts like paintings and sculptures to literature and the values embedded in royal administration.
Anita Bose - Visiting Scholar & language teacher with special Art History & heritage at Institute Of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University.
Former Chief Convener Global Encyclopedia of The Ramayana at Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan