Ramayan (1987 TV series)

This is a famous TV show. It tells a very old story. Many people loved to watch it. They even stayed home to see it.

The show follows a hero named Ram. He goes on a long trip. He travels with Sita and Lakshman.

It is a story about good versus evil. Ram must fight an evil king. This king is named Ravan.

Many people watched the show. It was a very big hit. People in many lands saw it.

It is a very special story. Do you like old stories?

Ramayan is a famous Indian TV show. It tells a very old story. This story comes from ancient books. The show was made by Ramanand Sagar. It first aired between 1987 and 1988.

The show follows a hero named Ram. He is a prince from Ayodhya. Ram goes on a long trip for 14 years. He travels with his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman. They face many dangers on their journey. Ram must fight an evil king named Ravan. Ravan is the king of Lanka. Ram fights to do what is right.

Many people loved this show. It became the most watched series in the world. Some say over 650 million people saw it. In India, the show was so popular that streets were empty. Shops even closed so people could watch. People loved it so much they cleaned their TVs before it began. The show was also shown in 17 different countries. It even broke records again in 2020 when it was shown on TV again.

The *Ramayan* is a famous Indian television series. It tells a grand story from ancient Hindu epics. This show was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. It follows the life of Prince Ram. Ram is the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya. The story is about his long journey into exile for 14 years. He travels with his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman. They must face many dangers to defeat the evil king Ravan. Through this journey, Ram works to establish dharma, which means doing what is right.

The story follows many important steps. First, the four sons of Dasharath grow up as great warriors. They study under a teacher named Guru Vashista. Later, Ram wins the hand of Princess Sita by breaking a heavy bow. However, a maid named Manthara changes things for the family. She convinces Queen Kaikeyi to ask for two favors. These favors send Ram away to the forest and make Bharat the king. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman then begin their long walk into the wild woods.

This series has a very long history. It first aired on DD National between 1987 and 1988. Ramanand Sagar used many ancient books to write the script. These included the *Ramayana* by Valmiki and the *Ramcharitmanas* by Tulsidas. Other sources were also used, like the *Kamba Ramayanam* from Tamil. The show was the most expensive Indian TV series made at that time. It cost about ₹9 lakh for every single episode produced.

Many amazing facts surround this show. It became the most watched television series in the entire world. Some reports say over 650 million people watched it. During its run, it reached a viewership of 82 percent. The show was shown in 17 different countries across all five continents. In 2020, the show was aired again during a lockdown. It broke records once more by reaching 77 million viewers on April 16. Each episode earned the channel 40 lakh during its original run.

People loved this show in a very special way. When it aired on Sunday mornings, the streets became empty. Shops would close so families could stay home. People even bathed and put flower garlands on their TV sets. It is a story that connects people to ancient traditions. Even today, the characters like Hanuman and Sita are very well known. The show brings the old legends to life for everyone to see.

The *Ramayan* is a landmark Indian Hindi-language epic television series. Created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar, the show brings ancient Sanskrit epics to life. It follows the life of Prince Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The narrative focuses on his journey to establish dharma, which means righteousness or cosmic order. This series is more than just a show; it is a cultural phenomenon that connects modern viewers to ancient Hindu traditions. It tells a story of duty, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil.

The plot follows a complex sequence of events rooted in divine purpose. The story begins in Ayodhya, where King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya welcome the birth of Ram. After growing into excellent warriors under Guru Vashista, Ram wins the hand of Princess Sita by breaking Lord Shiva's bow. However, a maid named Manthara manipulates Queen Kaikeyi into demanding two boons. These boons force Ram into a 14-year exile and place his brother Bharat on the throne. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman then enter the forest, beginning a journey filled with trials.

The series is structured around several distinct stages of the epic journey. It moves through the *Bala Kanda*, covering Ram's youth and marriage, into the *Ayodhya Kand*, which details the exile and the grief of the royal family. The *Aranya Kand* follows their life in the forest, including the kidnapping of Sita by the evil king Ravan. The story continues through the *Kishkindha Kand*, where Ram meets Hanuman and Sugriva, and the *Sundar Kand*. Each stage builds the tension as Ram seeks to rescue Sita and defeat the forces of darkness.

To ensure historical and spiritual accuracy, Ramanand Sagar drew from many sacred texts. The primary sources were Valmiki's *Ramayan* and Tulsidas's *Ramcharitmanas*. The production also incorporated regional perspectives from various Indian languages. These included the Tamil *Kamba Ramayanam* and the Marathi *Bhavartha Ramayana*. Other sources mentioned include the Bengali *Krutivas Ramayan*, Telugu *Ranganatha Ramayanam*, Kannada *Ramachandra Charita Purana*, Malayalam *Adhyatma Ramayanam*, and the Urdu *Ramayan* by Chakbast. This wide range of sources allowed the show to reflect a vast cultural landscape.

The scale of the production was unprecedented for Indian television in the late 1980s. It was the most expensive Indian TV show of its time, with a budget of ₹9 lakh per episode. The financial success was massive, as each episode reportedly earned DD National 40 lakh. The viewership numbers are staggering. During its original run between 1987 and 1988, it achieved a viewership of 82 percent. The BBC reported that over 650 million people have viewed the series. It even became a global sensation, airing on 20 different channels across 17 countries on all five continents.

One of the most surprising facts involves the show's enduring popularity across generations. During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, the series was re-aired and broke several global viewership records. On April 16, 2020, the show reached 77 million viewers in a single day. This modern resurgence mirrors the devotion seen during its original broadcast. In the 1980s, the streets would become deserted on Sunday mornings. Shops closed, and people would even bathe and garland their TV sets before the show began.

The *Ramayan* connects many different fields, including literature, religion, and mass media. It serves as a bridge between ancient Sanskrit literature and modern digital storytelling. By using actors like Arun Govil as Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, the series gave physical forms to divine figures. The music, composed by Ravindra Jain, helped create an emotional atmosphere for the epic tale. Ultimately, the series demonstrates how a single story can unite millions of people across different eras and geographies.