Opinion: Opinion: Ramayana Is An Epic For Our Conflicted Times

Mary Beard, one of the greatest classicists of our times, says ancient epics should be viewed not as dusty museum relics, but as vital, provocative, and deeply human texts that challenge how we think today. It is as true of The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, to which she referred, as it is to Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana.Here's why. Like it or love it, Ramayana: Part 1 is a 21st century interpretation, which acknowledges Ravana's immense power to do good for his community, the Asuras, as it does Ram's duty and responsibility as Maryada Purshottaman.

At a time when heroes are scarce in society and evil is rampant, it is no surprise that Ramayana begins with an examination of what drives Ravana to become king of all three realms. In a telling scene early on in the film. Ravana's mother Kaikasi mocks him for playing the veena as a young man even as his community is struggling to survive.

Ramayana's Ravana is a conflicted man, torn between rage for how his community has been treated through the ages and for the choice he has to make between art and war.