Ramayana in Cambodian

This book aims to unveil the greatness of the Ramayana story and the way it spread and influenced the Khmer culture. Ramayaņa story of India, first composed in Sanskrit, had entered the whole of South East Asia, and other countries due to its great merits and elegant literary qualities. Ramayaņa is called Ramakian in Thailand and Reamker or Rämakerti in Cambodia. Sculptures and paintings based on Ramayaņa can be found in many temples and palaces of Cambodia. The Cambodian version of Ramayaņa is quite interesting, which helps understand Cambodian culture and highlights the similarities and association of Khmer culture with ancient Indian culture.

The Indian epic poem Ramayaņa has exercised an influence in Cambodia for more than a millennium. A seventh- century Sanskrit inscription of Veal Kantal from Stung Treng, mentions daily recitations of Indic writings donated to the sanctuary, including the Ramayaņa. Epigraphical and artistic evidences also show that the story was well-known to Cambodians in the Angkorian period. Carved narrative reliefs illustrating elements of the epic Ramayaņa are widespread, occurring at the Banteay Srei, Baphuon, Thommanon, and Banteay Samre, to name but a few prominent temples. Several painted representations of the Reamker still exist.

This book tries to present the material on the spread of Ramayaņa in Cambodia and gives details of the Khmer Version of Ramayaņa, including the wooden carvings, and Paintings of Ramayaņa on Buddhist Pagodas of Cambodia. It explores the spread of Sanskrit Inscriptions, and Ramleela etc. Yet it is hard to say if this publication can give a complete information on the popularity of Ramayaņa in Cambodia as it was prepared in a limited time frame. We hope readers will enjoy this book and give their valuable suggestions.