Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama
Directed by	Yugo Sako
Produced by	Yugo Sako
Screenplay by	Narendra Sharma Rani Burra Ram Mohan Koichi Sasaki Hiroshi Onogi Ram Mohan Yugo Sako
Based on	The Ramayana by Valmiki
Starring	Nikhil Kapoor Rael Padamsee Uday Mathan Mishal Varma Noel Godin
Music by	Vanraj Bhatia
Edited by	Makato Arai Wayne Schmidt
Production company	Nippon Ramayana Film Co.
Release date	10 May 1992 (1992-05-10) (Japan) 9 June 1992 (1992-06-09) (India)
Running time	130 minutes
Country	Japan India
Language	English
Budget	$13 million[1]

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (ラーマヤーナ ラーマ王子伝説, Rāmayāna: Rāma-Ōji Densetsu) is a 1992 Indo-Japanese traditional animation feature film directed by and produced by Yugo Sako^[2] and based on the Indian epic the Ramayana. The original English version with Sanskrit songs was screened and released on home video under various names including Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama and Warrior Prince.

This film was made as a part of the 40th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations and was worked on by teams from both countries. It was released in the United States in a different, further localized English dub with narration by James Earl Jones, prince Rama voiced by Bryan Cranston and additional music by Alan Howarth^[3] as The Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana in 2001.Moriyasu Taniguchi was an uncredited character designer and the original music was composed by Vanraj Bhatia.Ramayana received positive reviews with praise for its animation, music though it is criticized for poor voice acting at times.

It was the opening film of the 2000 Lucca Animation Film Festival in Italy, a highlight of the Cardiff Animation Film Festival in the United Kingdom and won Best Animation Film of the Year at the 2000 Santa Clarita International Film Festival in the United States.^[2]

Plot

After a brief introduction to some of the main characters of the story, the beginning sees a group of Rishis, led by Vishvamitra, performing a Yajna in a forest not far from Ayodhya, the Capital of the Kingdom of Kosala. This Yajna, like several before it, is interrupted and destroyed by a group of flying Rakshashas led by Ravana's Mama(Uncle/Mother's Brother) Maricha. After seeing yet another Yajna destroyed, a despondent Vishvamitra appeals to Lord Vishnu for salvation. Vishnu appears in a spiritual blaze of light, informing him of his saviour- Prince Rama of Ayodhya, first-born of King Dasharatha. Vishvamitra travels to Ayodhya to meet the King and requests him to offer Rama's services to help destroy the demons in the forests. Although the Suryavanshi King is reluctant at first to send his son but he is reassured by the resident Rishi that no harm will come to him and even encouraged to send his third son Lakshmana as an accompaniment.

The three of them then journey into one of the affected forests where Vishvamitra tells them the story of how the once beautiful area was defiled and destroyed by an evil demoness Tataka,a catylyst and the mother of Maricha. After informing Rama of his duty, namely to kill Tatakasura, he then starts to teach the boys some mantras which they repeat, drawing the large demoness out. Rama shoots an arrow but he fails. The demoness throws a giant tree at Rama but he moves out the way falling on the ground. Rama gets back up slays her by reciting one of the Rishi's mantras and then shooting the arrow, which hits her in the head. She melts away into a burning fire. Following this deed, the boys are each handed sacred weapons. Rama is given a chakra and is told he will need it when he is in danger. Vishvamitra says he himself gained mastery over as a reward from the gods. The following morning, Maricha sees the boys from over a cliff and declares his intention to avenge his mother's death. The demon attacks Rama who gets pushed back and is loosely holding a shield. Lakshmana kills some of the demons and Rama slightly helps while Maricha himself flies away.

Further on in their travels, the three reach the kingdom of Mithila and witness a procession. During that procession Princess Sita, the King Janaka's daughter, catches sight of Rama and the two fall in love. The people are informed of a Swayamwar(competition) held by King Janaka; the man who could successfully lift and string the heavy bow of Shiva would be rewarded with the hand of Sita in marriage. After several failed attempts by the other princes, Rama steps up and prays to the gods. He tries to lift the bow but he is struggling and nearly drops it. Sita prays and he wins the competition difficulty and a burst of wind flows towards Rama's hair. He marries Sita, returning with her to Ayodhya. They are both happy together.

After several years Rama and Sita were living peacefully and the King announces that with the prospect of troubled times ahead for the Kingdom and his own health failing. Rama is shocked to hear this but he is to succeed him as heir. Rama says he will do his best to serve the people. All in the Palace are happy, except for an old hunchback nurse Manthara. She informs Kaikeyi while she was doing her hair the King's third Queen of the news and reminds her of how the King had promised to fulfill two promises to her. She manipulates and corrupts the initially loyal Queen and convinces her to take advantage of this. Later that night, the Queen meets the King and reminds her of the promise. The King initially agrees to the request, but on hearing her demands he is unwilling to do so and offers her his wealth instead. But the Queen threatens him by informing the people that he reneged on a promise, so he has no option but to accede to her wishes, namely that her own son Bharata be made King and that Rama be sent to exile in the forests for 14 years.

While Lakshmana is indignant at circumstances, Rama himself is peaceful about the whole situation and has no ill feelings towards Kaikeyi or anyone else. Sita and Lakshmana then declare their intentions to join him in exile as they feel sorry for him.Sita provides Rama with very old, cotton clothes. A cloth to go round his body and more cloth to go around his waist. Rama ties his hair into a half bun and lets the rest of his hair down. Rama also puts on his ring, a wooden necklace and some old bands. He now looks like a poor forest dweller. Rama then says his goodbyes to everyone in the palace, and consoles his guilt-ridden father who is worried Rama will die. Dasharath looks down at his smaller son and wants to protect him. Rama then says that Lakshmana and Sita will protect him instead. While leaving he addresses the people of Ayodhya, urging them to support King Dasharatha and Bharata. While watching Rama leave, the King then falls to the ground in anguish and is taken to bed. He is worried Rama is going to die. Rama, his wife and brother then board a sailboat on the banks of the Ganges River. Rama closes his eyes and is in tears. Sita is looking at him and Rama is very upset to leave. But Rama wipes his tears and begins his long exile.

Meanwhile, the King, clearly in a state of ill health, slowly fades into death, murmuring Ram's name and saying he will die. He then dies. Bharata, who is away in the Kingdom of Kekeya visiting his grandfather, hears the news and immediately returns to Ayodhya where her mother confirms the sad news as well as the news that he is to be the new King. But far from being happy, the boy is shocked and angered at his mother's treacherous behaviour and demands to know who manipulated her into doing what she did. The youngest brother, Shatrughna, tells him who it is, hauling the culprit Manthara into the room. Dismissing the old woman's pleas for mercy, Shatrughna is about to kill her but is dissuaded by Bharata, who said it will be a sin to slay the head of such dirty person with the holy sword. Bharata then goes to the forests and meets Rama, informing him of the sad news and urging him to return to the Kingdom. The grieving Rama falls to the ground and begins to cry. He blames himself. Bharata tells him its not his fault and Rama wipes his tears. He then tells Bharata that in spite of everything, the wishes of their late father must be respected and adhered to. Bharata then agrees to rule the Kingdom, and Rama to live 14 years in hardship. Bharata hugs his upset brother and pats his black hair. Years later, Rama is now having a peaceful time with Sita.

A long way away, in the Island of Lanka, the narsistic and megalomaniacal King Ravana and his royal subjects are enjoying a performance when he is informed of the exile of Prince Rama in the forests. Ravana says Rama is weak and is too unworthy to rule his kingdom. Ravana's sister Surpanakha decides to go and see him, enchanted by his famed good looks and beautiful black hair. Disguised as a beautiful lady, she enters the forest of Panchavati, where Rama, his wife and his brother are living an idyllic exile in the beautiful area in harmony with the birds and animals there. She tries to entice Rama. Rama turns her down and so does Lakshmana. The demoness learns Rama is devoted to Sita and then changes into her original demon form. This scares Rama and the powerful demoness tries to attack Sita. She pushes Rama out the way and he drops a pot onto his feet. Rama is hurt but tries to block Surpanakha's attacks. She injures Rama and Sita. Lakshmana then throws his knife, cutting off her nose in the process. The three are relieved at the disappearance of the danger.

The wounded demoness then returns to Lanka and informs Ravana of what happened, and the enraged King of Lanka vows to avenge the attack. He wants Rama to suffer. After a failed attempt to awaken his brother Kumbhakarna from his sleep, Ravana mulls over going to Panchavati himself and decides to do so after being goaded about Sita's beauty by his sister. Along with Maricha, Ravana then goes to Panchavati and reminds his companion of their plan to capture Sita. Ravana is staring at Sita and noticing her beauty. He looks at Rama, who looks very poor and wonders how people respect him and how he was able to marry someone higher than him. Maricha then changes into a golden deer and attracts Sita, who requests Rama to capture the deer alive. Rama agrees, and tells his brother to protect her. While chasing the deer Rama fires an arrow, only to find the deer disappearing instead of being captured. Realising that the deer is a demon, Rama becomes worried it can attack him or Sita. He chases it and gets tired very quickly. Rama then shoots an arrow and luckily hits the deer. The demon however lives long enough to imitate Rama's voice and cry out for help. The demon mentions that Rama will not be seeing his wife ever. Rama is very scared. Sita hears the cry and persuades Lakshmana to go and help him out. He agrees, and sprinkles a ring of rice around their house for protection. Ravana then disguises himself as a rishi and approaches the house to ask Sita for alms. He is repelled by the ring of protection(Lahksman Rekha) around the house, so he urges Sita to come forward. Eventually Ravana hypnotises Sita and carries her onto his chariot, flying away back to Lanka. Jatayu, an elderly vulture and a old friend of Rama,s father , hears Sita's cries for help and attacks Ravana, telling him to release Sita at once. But Ravana fatally injures Jatayu with his sword and continues on his journey home.

The two brothers meet in the forest and Rama informs Lakshmana that the cry for help was merely the imitation of his voice by the slain demon Maricha and says Sita is in danger. Fearing the worst, they hurry back home to find Sita gone. Rama is very upset at the fact his wife has been taken. He collapses and cries loudly while holding Sita's flower necklace.Tears flow down his face and onto his black hair. Lakshmana consoles the grieving Rama and tells him to stay strong. Lakshmana takes the leading role over the heartbroken Rama as Rama is too weak. The brothers then go to another clearing in the forest to find Jatayu, who lives long enough to inform them of the capture of Sita and the ensuing battle between himself and Ravana. Rama continues to cry as his friend had died. After reaching Lanka Sita is taken, screaming, into Ravana's palace at Lanka and placed under the care of one of Ravana's servants. Ravana craves Sita's love and tries to impress her by touching her long black hair.

Meanwhile, Rama and Lakshmana are in the middle of their search for Sita when they come across a pyschopathic demonic mountain called Kabandha, who tries to swallow them. Rama trips over and slides down. He gets back up and the demon hits Rama with his strong arm and Rama falls on the ground, hurting his head and flipping over. Rama uses his arrows to latch onto the arm but is unable to move. Lakshmana shoots an arrow to the eye of the demon and Rama who is about to fall uses his arrows to slash it. The demon screams and Rama is holding on to the arm while getting his whole body scraped onto the demon. The demon collapses and dies and Rama falls. A bright heavenly spirit then emerges while Rama is healing himself, thanking the brothers for lifting the curse on him and enabling him to return to the heavens, while in return advising them to find Sugriva. Not knowing who Sugriva is, Rama and Lakshmana then continue looking and see a huge palace carved into a hill and decide to go there.

They then chance upon a meeting with a flying vanara Hanuman, a messenger to Sugriva, who agrees wholeheartedly to take them to meet him. Sugriva introduces himself to Rama as an exiled vanara King of Kishkindha who himself has been living apart from his wife for several days. He informs Rama of Sita's cries for help that were heard and shows Rama a collection of her jewels which were dropped from the sky. Rama then cries and mentions these are the ornaments in her hair and he drops down producing massive amounts of tears to his wife's scarf. He is crying out Sita's name in sorrow. Lakshman and Sugriva say Rama should not cry Rama swore to save his wife and made a deal with Sugriva. Rama helps Sugriva by fighting a hard battle with Vali and restores the Kingdom to his friend. In return, Sugriva sends out large search parties to look for Sita in all corners of the country. The search party to the South is led by Hanuman and includes Vali's son Angada, who allies himself with Sugriva, and an elderly bear, Jambavan. Rama gives out his own ornaments to monkeys so Sita can recognise him. He gives Hanuman his wedding ring and tells him to bring her back. The three, along with a senior vanara soldier, enter a cliff in search of water and come out the other side, facing the ocean. There, they meet Sampati, brother of the slain Jatayu. After being informed of his brother's sad demise, the upset and angered bird informs the vanara leaders that Ravana indeed flew over the land they were on now and that he could be found, along with Sita, in the Island of Lanka. Jambavan then tells Hanuman that when he was younger, he was put under a spell which kept his powers in check, but that now he would be released from the spell in order to fly to Lanka and find Sita. Hanuman then flies across the sea and withstands a stern challenge from a dangerous sea monster by killing him and tearing him to pieces.

Among one of Hanuman's many powers is his ability to change shape at will, and he is able to fly across Lanka without being seen. He sees Ravana walking to a forest where Sita is with her caretaker, and after the King joins his subjects and her caretaker leaves her alone, Sita then bursts into tears, pining for her husband, little knowing that Hanuman is watching her. He jumps down from a tree and introduces himself as Rama's friend, offering also to take her back. Hanuman also narrates that Rama is deeply upset to be separated from his wife for over a year now and that he cries every day. Sita magnanimously refuses, saying that Rama must defeat the strong Ravana to regain Sita. Hanuman assures her that Rama will defeat Ravana and release her, while urging her to be patient till then. Hanuman then gets himself to be captured by the kumbh,son of kumbhkaran (brother of Ravan). Then Hanuman as a messenger meets Ravana face to face and warns the Lanka ruler of his folly in capturing Sita while instructing him to return her to Rama and seek his forgiveness. Ravana laughs at Rama as he thinks Rama is a weak man and he is a "God" who shouldnt ask for such things. Ravana then threatens to kill Hanuman, but after being dissuaded by his brother Vibhishana who refuses to kill the messenger, He decides instead to set fire to the vanara's tail and let him go home. While pretending to be in pain from the fire, Hanuman inadvertently sets fire to a few stalls and buildings in the city before flying away causing Ravana to angrily breakdown. Vibhishana later pleads with Ravana to release Sita out of fear of impending disaster for Lanka. He warns Ravana that Rama is strong but Ravana angrily rebuffs him and exiles him from the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and the vanara Kingdom's subjects are all gathered along the south coast. They then were discussing how to travel to Lanka. Rama had no idea what to do. It is then that Vibhishana appears and offers to join Rama's forces. Rama is convinced of Vibhishana's sincerity by Hanuman and agrees to accept Vibhishana, who in turn advises Rama to pray to the Sea God for a solution to cross over to Lanka. For seven days and seven nights Rama observes prayers, and on the eighth dawn the Sea God splashes a wave on Rama making his hair wet and he reveals himself and instructs Rama to build a bridge with stones that have his name inscribed.stones would be supported by the ocean and all living beings could walk across safely. Rama then set about building the bridge, after which he proceeds to Lanka where they will set up base camp not far from the capital city. Rama is now prepared to fight. In Ravana's Palace, the King and his council members discuss the threat of war. Prahastha, the Chief Minister, assures Ravana that the threat is futile and that Rama's army along with Rama himself would be finished off. While an elderly member, Ravana's father, is against the war and even himself advises the King to return Sita, the other members appear wholeheartedly in support of the war, including Ravana's son Indrajit.

From base camp in Lanka, Rama says that this past years were very painful for him. But he wants to avoid war because he is peaceful.says that he will forgive Ravana for the pain he inflicted on Rama. The army look at Rama and call him a coward. But Rama states that he is not a coward but a peaceful man. Rama then asks Angada to convey a message of peace to Ravana, namely that if he was to release Sita there would be no need of war and the subsequent bloodshed. But when Angada carries this message to Ravana at the Palace, he laughs at Rama, saying he is weak and even attacked by the Royal Guards. Ravana gives a clear sign that he wants war and that he will kill Rama. Angada escapes and warns Ravana he will die in the hands of Rama in the battlefield. Angada relays this message to Rama later that evening, Rama is then a bit upset. Rama realises that he must fight in order to save Sita. He then addresses his army, asking them if they would fight for Rama and for Sita to which they emphatically say yes.

The battle commences the next morning and both armies ride up to the battle lines before starting the fight. Hanuman fights for Rama's army, his role being to use his size and power to repel the aerial threat of the flying demons from Ravana's army, which he does with panache. Ravana then sends Kumbha and his brother Nikumbha, sons of Kumbhakarna, to battle. Together they are able to kill and injure several vanara soldiers. At sunset the battle is halted, and Rama tends to the wounded soldiers of his army before cremating the dead with honour. Notably he cremates the bodies of Ravana's soldiers too. Rama gives a speech about how being a good human is important. The wind is high then and Rama's long black hair which has grown even more over the years is waving majestically. The hair is on his face and is moving smoothly.

The battle continued for many months. Prahastha join the battle, and he goes into a duel with the general of the vanara troops. After a fierce battle Prahastha is killed. Sugriva then enters the battle against Kumbha, and the vanara King easily slays his enemy. Ravana's shock at the death of two of his major fighters prompts him to order Indrajit to attempt to awaken Kumbhakarna, which he succeeds in doing. Meanwhile, on the battlefield Nikumbh and Hanuman are engaged in a tough battle from which the vanara comes out on top, just before Kumbhakarna arrives. Kumbhakarna's great size causes wonder among several of Rama's soldiers and even Rama is scared. Vibhishana advises Rama that while Kumbhakarna is indeed a mighty opponent he is not unbeatable, and that this would be the opportune moment for Rama to go to battle. It is at that moment that Rama introduces himself and joins the battle. He looks up at the mighty giant but a flying demon tries to attack him. Rama luckily escapes and confronts the giant. During the night, Rama charges towards Kumbhakarna slashing his knee. The demon collapses and Rama runs away while dirty wind blows his long hair onto his face. Rama then stabs Kumbhakarna. The demon dies but knocks Rama and makes him fly towards the ground. Rama hits the hard ground and Lakshmana helps him. He asks if he is okay and Rama says he is hurt. Ravana is shocked but Indrajeet/Megnadh plots revenge and to devastate Rama.

That night the wounded and dead soldiers are being gathered and taken to the base camp. Ravana's son flies through the air in a chariot and injures the soldiers. He shouts for Rama to make himself seen, then shows Sita sitting in the carriage. Rama runs out and looks at his wife. He sees her in distress and Rama gets worried. Indrajit then grabs Sita and threatens to kill her, much to Rama's sorrowness. Sita is then slain, which upsets Rama greatly and he starts crying. Indrajit then shoots an arrow at Lakshmana and gets grievously wounding him and collapses on Rama. And as Lakshmana is helped to safety, Jambavan is also injured. Indrajeet warns Rama he has time to host a funeral for his family before he dies. Rama then cries out Sita's name and cries.

Rama is now sat in depression beside his brother. One soldier informs that the supply of medicinal herbs are destroyed and many soldiers are dying. This causes Rama great sorrow, for after seeing his wife slain he how faces the prospect of losing his dear brother, and wonders what more would be left. He then goes to a pole and starts to cry. Vibhishana tells the crying Rama that he appears to be a coward to the demons and that the morale of his army will fall. Vibhishan tells Rama that Sita must be alive. He informs Indrajeet is skilled in illusion. Vibishana advises Rama to attack Indrajit while performing one such yagna, but Rama couldn't do it due to the number of injured soldiers. Rama then continues his depression and appears to give up and render weakness. At that moment Jambavan awakes and informs Rama that there are some herbs which could work well, but that they were all the way in the Dronagiri mountains of the Himalayas. Rama wonders how he is going to get the herbs but Hanuman tells Rama to rest and he will do the jobs. Hanuman is sent to get the herbs after flying through the night and all the way across the country, passing Ayodhya, he reaches the mountain and looks for the herbs. On finding the herbs he is glad but reasoning that a mere handful will not be enough for the troops, Hanuman comes up with an idea. First, he knocks down a tree and sticks it in the soil upside down, not far from where the herbs are. Then assuming his largest size, he breaks into the mountain and picks it up. He then flies back to the base camp and on reaching there only a few hours after having left sets the mountain down. The herbs are gathered in time and Lakshmana is healed, as are the others. Rama expresses his gratitude, calling the vanara 'a beloved brother' while crying tears. He looks up at the tall Hanuman and hugs him.

Later that day some of the members of Ravana's army, mostly flying demons, are all gathered in the cave of Nikumbhila in prayer, feeling confident that with the moral and physical damage done to Rama, there was no need to go to battle that day. After Angada and the vanara general get rid of the guards outside, Lakshmana and the vanara soldiers then walk across the large bridge that is Hanuman and approach the cave. From inside a tunnel which leads to the prayer area, Lakshmana then shoots an arrow towards the idol of Nikumbhila, creating a few cracks and causing some chipped pieces to fall. Indrajit sees Lakshmana, angry that he is still alive, and orders the demons to attack and kill the soldiers. During the battle several of the demons are killed in the cave, and a few who try to exit the cave through the entrance are also killed. Indrajit himself is able to escape through an opening at the top of the cave. Seeing him fly away, Lakshmana captures a flying demon and orders him to take him up to Indrajit. He flies up to the chariot and engages in a battle with Indrajit, Lakshmana easily overpowers him and the battle ends with Lakshmana about to kill Indrajeet. Rather than giving him the moral satisfaction of killing him, Indrajit then releases his grip and falls to his death.

An angry Ravana then threatens in anger to kill Sita in order to punish her for her devotion to Rama, but is dissuaded by his elder who was against the war in the first place. The elder then offers to join Ravana in battle himself, but Ravana instructs him to stay while he himself goes to battle. This proves to be the final day of the battle which features the main confrontation between Rama and Ravana. Ravana confident he will kill Rama.

The Lanka King emerges from the warrior crowd. Rama confronts the demon and Ravana expresses his power and that he will kill Rama. He challenges Rama to a fight and Rama agrees. Rama and Ravana engage in battle. Ravana and Rama are in contact with their swords. Ravana easily moves Rama and pushes Rama away. Ravana and Rama's swords repeatedly collide. Rama tries to attack him but he gets his sword stuck and Ravana attacks Rama with his strong sword and Rama goes up quite high and falls backwards onto the ground very hardly and injures his back and slides across the hard ground with his head getting bruised and hair swaying. He screams but gets up and tries to stab Ravana. Ravana easily counters Rama and Ravana is continuously attacking Rama's sword. Rama is trying to block but Ravana pushes him against a wall. Rama gets his body slammed onto the wall and loses balance and hurts his feet. Rama falls down. Ravana tries to slash Rama's head but Rama tries to dodge but he ends up falling and Ravana's sword gets stuck on the wall and Rama who is on the floor gets up and cuts it. Rama then beheads Ravana. He is breathing heavily. But a new head grew and a shocked Rama cuts it again with more force. Certain he had done the job he stands back still panting.

But to his shock, a series of multiple heads grows from Ravana's neck and the Lanka King then morphs into a large demon with ten heads and as many as six arms. Ravana has now gained immense strength and Rama is very, very scared. The giant, powerful Ravana is looking at Rama. Rama looking up very scared and trembling his wounded hand in fear while his hair is vigorously blowing to the side. Sita who is watching Rama is also scared as she was told many times Ravana will kill Rama. Lakshmana and Hanuman and everyone else are also very worried for Rama. Ravana summons a powerful, fiery arrow and he fires it at great force which hits Rama directly onto his already wounded back and launches him into the air and wounding his body. Rama flips very fast and his black hair slashes onto his weak face and then screams very loudly and falls back onto the hard ground which consists of rocks and his back is fractured. He is wounded while he screams in pain. He looks like he has died but he moves very slowly. His body is now covered in wounds and his hair is on his bruised face and very dirty. Ravana then throws a spear covered with fire onto the wounded Rama and while he is struggling to get back up he is hit with a fiery spear which injures Rama and encircles the hurt Rama in a ring of fire. Rama is scared as the fire comes closer to him and is slightly burning his wounded skin but Rama prays and a chakra appears. The fire gets destroyed. Ravana then picks up Rama and squeezes him very hard. Most of Rama's bones are crushed. Ravana's powerful nails pierce into Rama's bruised skin and Ravana's nails also slash Rama and he screams very loudly and Ravana throws him onto the hard wall onto his back. Rama screams and then falls with great speed onto the ground on his head. Rama repeatedly falls and is now extremely injured. He now has much more wounds then he did before and his hair is much dirtier and out of place. He screams while his broken bones are growing even more weaker and his black hair is blowing onto his heavily bruised face. Lakshman and Sita and all the others watch in shock as Rama is presumed dead. Ravana is laughing at the weak and dying Rama.

After a while, Rama crawls with slow speed towards the chakra. He is moving very slowly and screaming in. He is struggling to live. Ravana screams in joy and declares death of his enemy but Rama uses his arm to reach the chakra. It expands and produces light. Rama slowly gets back up and throws the chakra at Ravana while screaming . This cuts Ravana,s lower half and killing him as a result and his whole body falls down hitting a mountain without anyone getting injuries from the rocks falling directly from the mountain . The chakra produces light and in an almost fantasy-like sequence, grass then grows along the barren battlefield and the compound walls, and the lower half of Ravana's body becomes a hill with a tree growing from it, signifying the return of Ravana to Mother Earth.

With the battle over, the wounded Rama slowly crawls back up a dirty mountain but is still very hurt and screams. Everyone looking at him in shock. They feel very sad to see Rama nearly dead. His old clothes are torn and dirty, his long hair is also dirty and out of place and his whole body is covered in wounds and bruises.The extremely wounded Rama is relieved that he doesn't need to fight anymore as he nearly died in the hands of Ravana and he exhorts the soldiers of Lanka to cease fighting and work towards restoring the glory of Lanka. Vibhishana is made the new King by Rama. Rama who is still very hurt wants to rest but he is eager to see Sita who he has not seen since 4 years. Rama and Sita are reunited. Sita is relieved Rama is still alive after witnessing him nearly dying. Before leaving, Sita expresses her remorse at the large number of lives lost for her sake in the war including Rama's wounds, but Sugriva comforts her, saying that her peaceful and happy life with Rama would make their death a glorious sacrifice. Hanuman flies back to the Himalayas with the uprooted mountain, and Rama and Sita hug together after being separated for 4 years and his compatriots fly home to Ayodhya.Rama,s wounds heal much to the delight of the army

Voice Cast

Production

In 1983 while working on "The Ramayana Relics" a documentary film about excavations by Dr. B. B. Lal near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh (India) Yugo Sako came to know about the story of Ramayana. He liked the story of the Ramayana so much he researched deeper into the topic and went on to read 10 versions of Ramayana in Japanese. After reading the Ramayana he wanted to adapt it into animation as he didn't think a live-action movie could capture the true essence of Ramayana,"Because Ram is God, I felt it was best to depict him in animation, rather than by an actor."Yugo Sako wanted to remain true to the original epic so he came to India and met with scholars, archaeologists, historians and started working out on the details, during this he met Ram Mohan and collaborated with him on the film. Krishna Shah got involved in the production later in 1993.^[4][5]The story was simplified to a great extent in order to appeal to the international audience.^[6]A new production studio Nippon Ramayana Film Co. was set up and the principal animation of the film began in 1990 with 450 artists on board.Indian animators guided their Japanese teammates with Indian customs and traditions depicted in the film like how dhotis are worn and how the children receive blessings from their elders..^[4][6]

Controversies

The Indian Express misinterpreted Yugo Sako's "The Ramayana Relics" documentary and published that he was making a new Ramayana. Soon thereafter, a protest letter based on the misunderstanding from the Vishva Hindu Parishad was received by the Japanese Embassy in Delhi, which said that no foreigners could arbitrarily cinematize Ramayana because it was the great national heritage of India.^[7]After the misconceptions were cleared, Yugo Sako proposed the idea of an animated Ramayana to the VHP and the government. He told them that animation was a serious art form in Japan and it would help bring the Ramayana to a wider global audience. The Government agreed initially, but later declined his proposal for a bi-nation collaboration, saying the Ramayana is a very sensitive subject and cannot be portrayed as a cartoon. Also, the fact that the movie was being made at the height of the Ayodhya dispute, added to the controversy and axed the prospects of producing it in India. With no choice and support left, the movie was ultimately produced in Japan with nearly 450 artists from both the nation contributing to its creation.^[8]

Soundtrack

There are different songs for the Original English Version (sung in Sanskrit) and the Hindi Dub version (sung in Hindi), both are listed below. The lyrics are written by Vasant Dev (Sanskrit) and P.K. Mishra (Hindi).^[9]

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama

• Official Website - Archive.org (The site was closed in 2009.)
• Yugo Sako's Ramayan Odyssey at Beliefnet
• Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama on IMDb
• Prince of Light at Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences database