Ramayan (also known as Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan) is an Indian Hindi-language epic television series based on ancient Indian Sanskrit Epic Ramayana. The show was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. It originally aired between 1987 and 1988 on DD National and it was narrated by Ashok Kumar and the director Ramanand Sagar. The music was composed by Ravindra Jain. During its run, the show became the most watched television series in the world, garnering a viewership of 82 percent. The repeat telecast was aired on 20 different channels in 17 countries on all the five continents at different times. The success of the series was documented well by the media. According to BBC, the serial has been viewed by over 650 million viewers.Unknown Each episode of the series reportedly earned DD National 40 lakh.
The show is primarily based on Valmiki's Ramayan and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas. Other sources used were: Tamil Kamba Ramayanam, Marathi Bhavartha Ramayana, Bengali Krutivas Ramayan, Telugu Ranganatha Ramayanam, Kannada Ramachandra Charita Purana, Malayalam Adhyatma Ramayanam, Urdu Ramayan by Chakbast. Ramayan was the most expensive Indian TV show produced at the time with a budget of ₹9 lakh per episode.
When the series was telecast every Sunday morning, BBC recalled, "streets would be deserted, shops would be closed and people would bathe and garland their TV sets before the serial began." The series was re-aired during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown and broke several viewership records globally; the show became the most watched TV show in the world with 77 million viewership on 16 April 2020.
Premise Adapted and based on the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, the series follows the journey of Ram who goes to an exile of 14 years along with Sita and Lakshman.
Lord Vishnu decides to incarnate on earth as Ram, the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya to kill Ravan, the evil king of Lanka and establish dharma whereas Goddess Lakshmi would incarnate as his wife Sita. In Ayodhya, a childless Dashrath conducts a putrakameshthi yagna for children and as a result, his three wives gives birth to 4 sons. Kaushalya to Ram, Kaikeyi to Bharat and Sumitra to Lakshman and Shatrughan. The 4 boys grow up to be excellent warriors under Guru Vashista's training. Shri Ram is an ideal and perfect son and brother and is a role model to his three younger brothers and always respects his parents and their affection towards him.
After the brothers return after completing their education, Rishi Vishvamitra arrives at Ayodhya for help as his yagna is disturbed by some demons and asks Dashrath to send Shree Ram to him to kill those demons. Dashrath reluctantly agrees and Lakshman also accompanies Ram. Shri Ram succeeds in killing Taraka and her son Subahu and also protects the yagnas. Rishi Vishvamitra later teaches him about many things required for future.
Later, he takes the two brothers to Mithila to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva's bow at the swayamvar of Princess Sita. Rishi Vishvamitra tells them about the birth of Sita from earth. On their way Ram frees Ahalya of her curse by her husband Rishi Gautama. They reach Mithila where preparation for the swayamvar was in full swing. Ram and Sita meet at Pushp vatika and fall in love at first sight. Sita prays to Goddess Gauri for Ram to be her husband. Next day, Shri Ram wins the swayamvar by breaking Lord Shiva's bow and marriage is fixed. His family at Ayodhya is also informed of the same and Dashrath, along with Bharat and Shatrughna arrive Mithila and Lakshman's marriage is fixed with Urmila, Sita's younger sister whereas Bharat and Shatrughna are married to Mandavi and Shrutakirti, Sita's cousins. King Janak and his family bid a tearful goodbye to their daughters and here ends the Bala Kanda.
In due time, Bharat and Shatrughna leave for Kekeya to meet their grandfather and meanwhile, Dashrath decides to announce Ram as his heir. This decision is happily accepted by all the family members as well as the citizens. However, Kaikeyi's maid Manthara is not happy with the coronation and manipulates Kaikeyi to make Bharat as king. Kaikeyi asks two boons from Dashrath about which he promised years ago. She asks the throne for Bharat and 14 years exile for Ram much to the latter's shock. However, he is compelled to keep his promise.
Ram readily agrees and everyone, including the citizens, are shocked with the turn of events. Sita and Lakshman decides to accompany him. Urmila also wanted to accompany them but Lakshman stops her to take care of the family. Later, the three leave for vanvas after taking the blessings of elders, much to the dismay of Dashrath who breaks all ties with Kaikeyi for what she did. He asks his trusted minister Sumant to accompany Ram. The citizens also does not want to leave him. Ram is helped by his childhood friend Nishad Raj on the first day of vanvas and crosses Sarayu River with his help and decides to reside in Chitrakoot.
Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, everyone starts blaming Kaikeyi and Manthara and even Bharat as they doubt him to be involved in the conspiracy. Unable to bear the pain of separation from his son, Dashrath dies of grief due to a curse he got earlier. Ram in Chitrakoot and Bharat in Kekeya sense bad omen concurrently much to their worry. Bharat and Shatrughna return to Ayodhya and are shattered on hearing about their father's death and their brother's exile. Bharat despises Kaikeyi and decides to get back Ram. Kaikeyi later starts regretting her deeds. Bharat completes his father's final rites and along with whole Ayodhya, leaves to bring back Shri Ram and Sita.
At Chitrakoot, Lakshman sees Bharat approaching them and doubts him, ready to kill him but is stopped by Shree Ram. Later, Bharat arrives and the brothers share a reunion. Lakshman feels guilty for doubting Bharat. They are informed of Dashrath's death and feel depressed about it and reconcile with their mothers. Bharat tries to persuade Ram to return but he refuses owing to his father's promise. Janak arrives and suggests that Bharat rule Ayodhya on Ram's behalf. Everyone agrees to the decision. Bharat asks for Shri Ram's sandals and places it on the throne and leaves for Nandigram to live the life of an ascetic for 14 years. He rules the kingdom from there with Guru Vashisht's help. Everyone supports his decision. Ayodhya Kand ends at this moment and begins Aranya Kand.
Meanwhile, Shri Ram decides to move from Chitrakoot to fulfill his purpose. On their way, they meet Mata Anasuya who give Sita lessons on wife's duty and also gifts her a divine saree whose colour never fades and some jewellery which she got from Gods as a result of her devotion towards her husband. In the vanvas period the trio comes across many demons which are killed by Shri Ram and Lakshman. They meet Rishi Agastya who give them never-ending arrows for future purpose.Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman decides to stay in Panchvati for the last year of exile. They also meet a vulture, Jatayu, an old acquaintance of their father who guides them.
One day, Shurpnakha, Ravan's sister comes to their hut with a marriage proposal which is rejected by both Shri Ram and Lakshman. Furious at the rejection, she attacks Sita in an attempt to kill her but Lakshman cuts her nose while defending his sister in law. Insulted, she seeks help from her cousins Khara and Dushan whom she lies about her actual intentions of approaching the trio. They go to Panchvati with their army and in the battle that follows, Shri Ram kills the whole army along with the demon brothers. Shurpnakha then decides to approach Ravan, the king of Lanka and convince him into killing the two brothers for Sita.
Ravan plots to kidnap Sita with the help of Mareech disguised as a deer and lure Shri Ram and Lakshman into going out of the hut leaving Sita alone.The vicious plan is successful and Ravan kidnaps Sita but is seen by Jatayu who loses his life while saving her. On his deathbed, he informs Shri Ram of Ravan's deeds.
Shree Ram completes Jatayu's final rites and leaves Panchvati with determination to search for Sita. Later, he comes across his devotee Shabri who guides him towards Rishyamukh Parvat to meet Sugriva and Hanuman, Shri Ram's devotee. Kishkindha Kand begins from here.
The brothers meet Hanuman who is in disguise to ensure they are not a threat to Sugriva and is overwhelmed on the revelation of Shri Ram's true identity and takes them to Sugriva where they are also introduced to Jambvant, Nal and Neel. Shri Ram kills Vali, Sugriv's brother who betrayed him. Later, they plan to send Kishkindha army in search of Sita and from here begins Sundar Kand.
Cast Main Arun Govil as Ram, Lord Vishnu's 7th incarnation of the Dashavatar; Dasharatha and Kaushalya's son; Sita's husband; Bharat, Lakshman And Shatrughan's elder brother; Lav and Kush's father. Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, Lakshmi, Goddess Lakshmi's incarnation; Janak and Sunaina's elder adoptive daughter; Bhumi Devi's daughter; Urmila, Mandavi, Shrutkirti 's elder sister; Ram's wife; Lav and Kush's mother. Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, Sheshnaag's incarnation; Dasharatha And Sumitra's elder twin son; Urmila's husband; Ram And Bharat's younger brother And Shatrughan's elder twin Arvind Trivedi as Ravana, Vishrava, Vishrava and Kaikesi's eldest son; Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan and Surpanakha's elder brother, Indrajit's father, Mandodari's husband. Dara Singh as Hanuman, Lord Shiva's incarnation; Lord Rama's devotee, Anjani and Kesari's son, Vayu's son.
Recurring Sanjay Jog as Bharat, the incarnation of Panchajanya, the conch held by Lord Vishnu'; Dasharatha and Kaikeyi's son; Mandavi's husband; Ram's younger brother, and Lakshman and Shatrughan's elder brother Sameer Rajda as Shatrughna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana; Dasharatha and Sumitra's younger twin son; Shrutakirti's husband, and Ram, and Bharat's younger brother, Lakshman's younger twin Bal Dhuri as Dasharatha, King Aja and Queen Indumati's son; Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra's husband; Ram, Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughan's father, King of Kosala Jayshree Gadkar as Kausalya, Dasharatha's first wife; Ram's mother, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna's foster mother Padma Khanna as Kaikeyi, Dasharatha's second wife; Bharat's mother, Ram, Lakshman and Shatrughan's foster Mother Rajnibala as Sumitra, Dasharatha's third wife; Lakshman and Shatrughan's mother, Ram and Bharat's foster mother Anjali Vyas as Urmila, Goddess Naga Lakshmi's incarnation; Janak and Sunaina's younger daughter; Sita and Mandavi's younger and Shrutkirti's elder sister; Lakshmana's wife Sulakshana Khatri as Mandavi, Goddess Lakshmi's flower avatar; Kushadhwaja and Chandrabhaga's elder daughter; Sita's younger and Urmila & Shrutakirti's elder sister; Bharat's wife Poonam Shetty as Shrutakirti, Goddess Lakshmi's flower; Kushadhwaja and Chandrabhaga's younger daughter; Sita, Urmila, Mandavi's younger sister; Shatrughan's wife Lalita Pawar as Manthara, Kaikeyi's evil maid Vijay Arora as Indrajit, Ravan and Mandodari's first son; Sulochana's husband; slain by Lakshman. Nalin Dave as Kumbhakarna, Vishrava and Kaikesi's second son; Ravana, Vibhishan and Surpanakha brother; slain by Ram. Mukesh Rawal as Vibhishana, Vishrava and Kaikesi's third son; Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Surpanakha's brother; King of Lanka. Aparajita Bhushan as Mandodari, Ravan's first wife; Mayasura and Apsara Hema's daughter; Mayavi and Dundubhi's sister; Meghanaad, and Akshayakumara's mother. Mulraj Rajda as Janaka, Kushadhwaja's brother; Sunaina's husband; Sita and Urmila's father, Mandavi and Shrutkirti's uncle King of Mithila Urmila Bhatt as Sunayana, Janak's wife; Sita and Urmila's mother, Mandavi and Shrutkirti's aunt, Queen of Mithila Shyam Sundar Kalani as Sugriva Sugriva-Vali's brother; Ruma's husband. Also Vali, Sugriva's brother and also played role of Yamraj God of death. Sudhir Dalvi as Vasishtha, Raghukul brothers' teacher