RAMAYANA

The whole Ramayana story is a long romance, but usually the performance takes the episode when Rama, the prince of Ayodya, enters the forest of Dandaka accompanied by his wife Shinta and his younger brother Laksamana. In the middle of their journey Shinta saw a golden deer which actually is the transfiguration of a demon, the servant of Rahwana from Alengka kingdom. At the same time Rahwana is hiding himself in order to kidnap Shinta away from her husband. While her husband is hunting the deer Shinta heard a scream which she thinks must be her husband’s, and she orders her brother-in-law to help. But Laksamana, who knows well that the scream is of the deer, refuses to leave Shinta alone. It makes Shinta angry, and she accuses him of wanting her if her husbanddied. So Laksamana leaves her alone but after scratching the earth around her with his kris for protection by the power of his magic. Rahwana appears, when Shinta is alone, by transfiguring himself as a hungry old priest. He is begging her for some betel-nut to chew. When Sinta is passing the betel-nut suddenly Rahwana draws her away and flies her to his kingdom. In the air they are met by the giant bird Jatayu who then tries to save Shinta. But Jatayu is defeated by Rahwana.

Rama and Laksamana, in their search for Shinta, are helped by the white monkey Hanuman, the red monkey Sugriwa, and thousands of monkey soldiers.