Villainy, for all its evil designs, is a lot of work. The nature of the sinister work doesn’t go unnoticed in how most Indians approach the great epics of the land. In popular imagination, such works are often tied to the narrative purpose.
This has meant that far from being monochromatic, the key characters in epics such as Ramayan are viewed in different hues. The epic’s prime antagonist, Ravan, for instance, can draw on subtexts to outgrow his 10-headed devilish mien. Which leaves much space for a more rounded reception of him and considerate understanding of the symbolism that he comes with – the perils of overlooking the satvik (the equilibrium of moral attitudes) for the trappings of the tamasic (the delusional pursuits in the dark).
