Lesson

The Story of Rama (Curriculum Unit)

Objective: Through the study of the Story of Rama, students experience how the literary, visual, and performing arts can provide a lens through which to understand the world—and to reflect on their own identities and world views.

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Curriculum Unit: The Story of Rama
Grade Levels

Elementary School (4-5), High School (9-12), Middle School (6-8)
Regions

South Asia, Southeast Asia, The Diaspora
Academic Topics

Beliefs
Academic Subjects

English & Language Arts, History & Social Science, Visual Arts, World Religions

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3 Photos

The Story of Rama

Rama kills the demon warrior Makaraksha in combat

Kumbhakarna battles the monkeys, from the epic Ramayana (Story of Rama), 1100–1200.

Jatayus, the heroic king of the vultures, attempts to prevent Ravana from abducting Sita.

Rama kills the demon warrior Makaraksha in combat

Rama kills the demon warrior Makaraksha in combat, approx. 1790. India; Himachal Pradesh state, former kingdom of Guler. Opaque watercolors on paper. Asian Art Museum, Gift of Margaret Polak, 1992.95. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Kumbhakarna battles the monkeys, from the epic Ramayana (Story of Rama), 1100–1200.

Kumbhakarna battles the monkeys, from the epic Ramayana (Story of Rama), 1100–1200. Cambodia or northeastern Thailand; former kingdom of Angkor. Sandstone. The Avery Brundage Collection, B66S7.

Jatayus, the heroic king of the vultures, attempts to prevent Ravana from abducting Sita.

Jatayus, the heroic king of the vultures, attempts to prevent Ravana from abducting Sita, from the Ramayana (Story of Rama), approx. 400–500. India; probably Uttar Pradesh state. Terra-cotta. Gift of the Connoisseurs’ Council, 1988.40.

The Story of Rama (the Ramayana), about a prince and his long hero’s journey, is one of the world’s great epics. It began in India and spread among many countries throughout Asia. Its text is a major thread in the culture, religion, history, and literature of millions. Use selection of activities, videos, and works of art to explore the epic of Rama with your students.