Impressions: Texts from Asia for the Lower Secondary English Classroom

Teacher Information

Note: Some sites used in these activities contain large quantities of images which may take some time to download.

THE RAMAYANA: General

These student activities (using the Ramayana as their focus) encourage students to research the role of epic tales in community life and culture and to develop a wider understanding and appreciation of the epic as a form of literature.

Learning Outcomes

1. The Characters in The Ramayana

   This website has illustrations of gods from the epic including Hanuman, Rama and Sita, and Ganesh. The site is easily accessible for Years 7-8 students although it includes a large number of advertisements.
   http://www.hindunet.org/god/summary/index.htm

   Suggested Approach

   Students should access the site and view the illustrations, then select ones of Rama and Sita, Hanuman (the monkey god) and Ganesh (the elephant-headed god). Students should be encouraged to describe their own perceptions of the appearance and characteristics of each character.

2. Ramayana and Visual Material

   This site includes a copy of an old, charming and elegantly illustrated text containing the story of Rama's time as an exile in the forest. Use the back and forward arrows at the bottom of each page to view the twelve paintings and read the accompanying story.
   http://www.goloka.com/docs/rama/rama_01.html

   Suggested Approach

   Students should work in pairs or groups to access the site. They should read the text and view the illustrations and decide how well the illustrations contribute to the story. They may write a short critical review of the text.

3. Festivals Associated with The Ramayana

   This website includes descriptions of important Indian festivals and an annotated calendar.
   http://www.hindunet.org/festivals/

   Suggested Approach

   Start with the calendar. It contains festival dates for the current year and links to information about the festivals. The major festivals are also listed, with links for more information, from the first page. Some descriptions are easy to read, others become complicated after the first paragraph or two. Students should be encouraged to pick out important points only; these are to be found near the beginning.

4. The Author of The Ramayana

   This description of Valmiki is very long and the language is quite archaic. However, this is the most detailed and sensitive version of this story available and it raises some very interesting issues that are addressed in the activities. The student activity deals only with the first three pages.

   The student worksheet for this activity is designed for group work. Groups should look at cultural values and the lifestyle of people in ancient times, and think about which cultural and moral beliefs and values are still relevant today. This website is particularly suitable for use with more advanced classes.
   http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/valmiki/

   Suggested Approach

   This activity should be undertaken by two groups of students. Locate the website and assist with the reading of the story. Check students' understanding within the groups and encourage them to discuss possible answers to the questions on the worksheet.

   The groups should be able to develop their final presentations comfortably if the initial reading and question phase is well supported by teachers.

Additional Web Resources

• A background essay about the Ramayana, with some illustrations, may be found at http://www.askasia.org/teachers/essays/essay.php?no=48&era=&grade=&geo=
• Rama and Sita are also clearly portrayed in 'Rama at the Hermitage of Sage Atri': http://www.goloka.com/docs/rama/rama_04.html
• Teachers interested in teaching about Hindu culture will find http://www.hindunet.org/  a very useful resource.
• A detailed story of the Ramayana and the history of the miniatures is available at: http://www.goloka.com/docs/rama/index.html