The Ramayana

By Amber Lone. Part 1: A distinctive modern version of an ancient Indian epic and one of the world's most popular love stories. Teenage Sita sees the most beautiful stranger in the street. She'll marry him or die. He is Prince Rama, heir to the throne but his stepmother wants Rama sent into exile.Part 2:  A distinctive modern version of an ancient Indian epic and one of the world's most popular love stories. Sita has been abducted by a ruthless warlord. Rama enlists the help of an army of monkeys to get her back but has she betrayed him with the evil ruler of Lanka? The ancient Indian epic The Ramayana is one of the world's most popular love stories. The separation and reunion of two lovers gives it perennial appeal but Rama's jealousy and Sita 's metamorphosis into a strong independent woman gives the story a contemporary feel. Outstanding composer Niraj Chag creates original music.  Amber Lone (dramatist) is a bold new British Asian voice. Music composed by Niraj Chag.Directed by Claire Grove.

Jatinder Verma

Claudia Mayer

Amber Lone

Paul Bhattacharjee

Sasha Behar

Raad  Rawi

Paul Bazely

Nitin Ganatra

Manjinder Virk

Lloyd Thomas

Adeel Akhtar

Kulvinder Ghir

Full Cast

Two full-cast BBC Radio dramatisations based on the classic Indian epics

Full-cast dramatised retellings of the two most important epic Sanskrit poems of ancient India 
 
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are literary classics, the longest epic poems in world literature, as significant as the Bible, the Qu'ran and the works of Shakespeare. Estimated to have been composed over a period of time around the 3rd and 4th centuries BC, they encompass some of the greatest stories ever told - tales of the deeds of gods and men, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Included here are full-cast BBC Radio adaptations of both, directed by award-winning producer Claire Grove and with original music by acclaimed composer Niraj Chag. 
 
Viewed from the perspective of one of the central characters, Yudhishtra, The Mahabharata recounts the struggles of a divided family as they fight over their inheritance and destroy the very thing they seek most - a peaceful and harmonious land. Exiled for 13 years, Yudhishtra knows his cousin will never give up the throne. War is inevitable - but which side will Krishna be on? Paul Battacharjee, Nitin Ganatra and Raad Rawi star in this intimate, accessible reimagining by Jatinder Verma and Claudia Mayer. 
 
One of the world's most popular love stories, The Ramayana centres around the separation and reunion of Rama and Sita. When Sita first glimpses the beautiful Prince Rama, she determines to marry him or die. She wins his heart - but his stepmother's plot sees him banished from his position as heir to the throne. Exiled, he retreats to the forest, where Sita is abducted by a ruthless warlord. Rama enlists the help of an army of monkeys to get her back - but has she betrayed him with the evil ruler of Lanka? Manjinder Virk stars as Sita, with Lloyd Thomas as Rama in Amber Lone's distinctive modern version of the ancient legend. 
 
Also included is the 5-part series Let's Talk About Rama and Sita, in which award-winning poet and broadcaster Daljit Nagra takes stories from The Ramayana into his community and finds the ancient tales alive with contemporary Asian dilemmas. Are Rama and Sita useful role models for men and women nowadays? How is the duo's relationship relevant to marriage today? And what lessons can the Indian epic teach us about loyalty and betrayal? 
 
Produced and directed by Claire Grove 
Music composed by Niraj Chag 
 
The Mahabharata 
Yudhishtra - Paul Bhattacharjee 
Krishna - Nitln Ganatra 
Bhishma - Raad Rawi 
Dhirtrashtra - Sam Dale 
Duryodhana - Zubln Varla 
Arjuna - Paul Bazely 
Bhima - Danny Sapani 
Draupadi - Sasha Behar 
Gandhari - Sudha Buchar 
Kunti - Indira Joshi 
Shakuni - Jude Akuwudike 
Uttara - Saikat Ahamed 
Dramatised by Jatinder Verma and Claudia Mayer 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-18 February 2007 
 
The Ramayana 
Sita - Manjinder Virk 
Rama - Lloyd Thomas 
Lakshman - Adeel Aktar 
Ravan - Paul Bhattacharjee 
Surparnaka - Sasha Behar 
Dasarath/Sugreeva - Jude Akuwudike 
Sister/Mandodari - Deeivya Meir 
Bharat - Saikat Ahamed 
Hanuman - Kulvinder Ghir 
Kush - Omar Kent 
Lava - Neil Reynolds 
Dramatised by Amber Lone 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 October-7 November 2010 
 
Let's Talk About Rama and Sita 
Presented by Daljit Nagra 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24-28 February 2014 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Amber Lone

Books by Amber Lone

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter