Only From Linnaea
General - Linnaea School Musicals
The Ramayana is thought to be the first poem ever written in Sanskrit. Over a thousand years old, it was written by Rishi Valmiki, who it is said was a ruthless robber transformed into a rishi by his devotion to Ram. This Hindu story has had a profound influence on Indian culture for many years. The Ramayana is performed every year in villages and cities throughout India and can take up to 7 days to complete! We have adapted the story both in length and to some extent in content to make it more accessible to a western audience but it remains rich in lessons that can serve us well in the year 2002. Listen and learn...
ACT ONE
The story opens as King Dasharatha of Ayodya and his three Queens perform a sacred ritual to ask the Gods to bless them with a child. At the same time Lord Vishnu prepares to come to earth to rid the world of a plague of Demons- especially the Demon Ravana! Lord Vishnu reincarnates as the child Ram born to the King and Queen Kaushalya. His three brothers are born to Dasharatha's two other wives. In a neighboring kingdom King Janaka and his Queen Prithivi are also blessed with a child- a beautiful daughter found in a box in the fields. Recognizing her as a gift of the Gods they learn that Sita has special powers. This leads to a competition for her hand in marriage and the wedding of Ram and Sita. Our first act ends with the gods causing Ram's step mother to turn against him. It is important that she have him banished to the Dandaka forest. Only here can he fulfill his destiny on earth to destroy the power of the demons.
ACT TWO
This acts opens as Ram, Sita and Ram's brother Laxman are banished to the Dandaka forest for fourteen years causing King Dasharatha to die of a broken heart. As Ram sets his hand to the task of battling the demons, Ravana plots the capture of Sita to make her his wife. In the end, with Sita held in Ravana's kingdom only the brave monkey Hanuman can reach her and help restore her to Ram. There is a fearsome battle as evil and good clash and in the end Ravana and Ram reveal a surprising relationship as balance is restored to the world.
Sample Songs
"This is My Right" (2MB)
"Finale:O My People/Joy in the Journey" (4MB)
"Will You Be Lonely" (3MB)
ACT ONE
The story opens as King Dasharatha of Ayodya and his three Queens perform a sacred ritual to ask the Gods to bless them with a child. At the same time Lord Vishnu prepares to come to earth to rid the world of a plague of Demons- especially the Demon Ravana! Lord Vishnu reincarnates as the child Ram born to the King and Queen Kaushalya. His three brothers are born to Dasharatha's two other wives. In a neighboring kingdom King Janaka and his Queen Prithivi are also blessed with a child- a beautiful daughter found in a box in the fields. Recognizing her as a gift of the Gods they learn that Sita has special powers. This leads to a competition for her hand in marriage and the wedding of Ram and Sita. Our first act ends with the gods causing Ram's step mother to turn against him. It is important that she have him banished to the Dandaka forest. Only here can he fulfill his destiny on earth to destroy the power of the demons.
ACT TWO
This acts opens as Ram, Sita and Ram's brother Laxman are banished to the Dandaka forest for fourteen years causing King Dasharatha to die of a broken heart. As Ram sets his hand to the task of battling the demons, Ravana plots the capture of Sita to make her his wife. In the end, with Sita held in Ravana's kingdom only the brave monkey Hanuman can reach her and help restore her to Ram. There is a fearsome battle as evil and good clash and in the end Ravana and Ram reveal a surprising relationship as balance is restored to the world.
Sample Songs
"This is My Right" (2MB) "Finale:O My People/Joy in the Journey" (4MB) "Will You Be Lonely" (3MB)