Ramayana Magic Unfolds at 18th PBD Convention

Bhubaneswar: The exhibition ground of 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar witnessed a vibrant showcase of patriotism and cultural pride as two captivating exhibitions depicting the epic tale of Lord Ram and Ramayan amused the visiting Indian diaspora here.

The three-day event hosted four key exhibitions and promotional stalls by several ministries of government of India, depicting the connection of India with its diaspora across the globe along with its rich cultural heritages.

Out of them, two exhibitions– “Vishwaroop Ram : The Universal legacy of Ramayana by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and “Ram Katha : The Living Traditions” by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous Trust under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, captivated the visitors most.

The Ramayana, an ancient Indian saga, has crossed geographical and cultural boundaries for centuries, finding a place in the hearts of people worldwide.

The first exhibition Vishwaroop Ram was a testament to this global embrace. The exhibition was not just a display but a celebration of the Ramayana’s narrative through folk arts, cultural artifacts, masks, and paintings from India and 19 other nations, including Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and even Trinidad and Tobago.

Each piece told a unique story, reflecting the diverse ways in which Lord Ram’s journey has been interpreted and cherished across the globe.

“The ICCR has collected all of these artworks and artifacts from different embassies and all of these represent the Ramayana legacy worldwide. The Indian Diaspora must feel that our culture has a global reach,” said one of the organisers of the exhibition.

The artworks ranged from the wooden “Wayang” puppets of Indonesia to the vibrant ‘Yama Zatdaw’ scrolls of Myanmar, showcasing how the Ramayana has been adapted into local art forms, maintaining the core narrative while embracing local aesthetics.

These exhibitions were more than just art. They were a dialogue among cultures, a visual language that spoke of unity in diversity.

‘Vishwaroop Ram’ was a visual feast, with masks that captured the essence of characters like Hanuman and Ravana, paintings that depicted pivotal moments of the epic, and artifacts that connected viewers directly with centuries-old traditions.

Similarly, the ‘Ram Katha: The Living Tradition’ exhibition dived into the performative aspect of the Ramayana. This exhibition brought forth catalogues and documented performances of ‘Ram Katha’ from various Southeast Asian countries.

Here, the focus was on the living, breathing art of storytelling, where Ramleela was explored in its myriad forms, from the elaborate stage productions in India to the communal enactments in Thailand.

The exhibitions sparked a range of emotions among the attendees. A visitor from the West Indies described the experience as ‘soul-stirring’, seeing the stories of her childhood portrayed in forms that were familiar.

Another visiting diaspora from Oman was touched by the similarities and differences in how Southeast Asian culture had adopted and adapted the Ramayana.

The exhibitions did not just display art, rather facilitated a deep cultural exchange among the Indian diaspora and international guests.

“This exhibition also displays different forms of Ramayan Katha played in various states of India. Be it folk painting of Rajasthan or documentation of about Ramleela performance in Kumau of Uttarakhand region or Ramayana through the eyes of Gond tribes, each and every element of this exhibitions is attracting both the Indian diaspora and local visitors,” said Laxmi Rawat, in-charge of the exhibition from IGNCA at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention 2025 in Bhubaneswar.

Responding to popular demand for these exhibitions, the Government Of Odisha has decided to extend the exhibitions till the evening of January 12, which will be open for all the citizens.

The exhibitions were not just cultural showcases but a celebration of heritage, an exploration of identity, and an invitation for dialogue. They highlighted how the Ramayana continues to be a living tradition, evolving yet eternal, connecting people from different walks of life under the banner of a shared cultural legacy.

As the convention drew to a close, the message was clear. Stories like the Ramayana are not just tales of the past but are vibrant threads in the tapestry of human culture, continually woven by each generation.

Both ‘Vishwaroop Ram’ and ‘Ram Katha : The Living Tradition’  exhibitions served as powerful reminders of how a single story can foster cultural bonds across continents, transcending linguistic and national barriers.