The 1987 television series Ramayan , directed by Ramanand Sagar, remains a landmark in Indian broadcasting history. While much scholarship focuses on its cultural and political impact, a systematic structural index of the series offers a unique lens into its narrative mechanics. This paper constructs and analyzes a functional index of the 78 episodes, categorizing entries by episode number, major narrative arcs (Bal Kand to Uttara Kand), key characters, iconic scenes (e.g., the Panchavati exile, Sita’s agni pariksha ), and moral/philosophical leitmotifs. The index reveals a deliberate pacing strategy: the first 30 episodes establish cosmic order and exile, the middle 30 focus on the Kishkindha and Sundar Kands (featuring Hanuman), and the final 18 compress the war and post-war resolutions. Furthermore, the index exposes narrative symmetries—such as the parallel abductions of Sita and the illusionary Sita—that are central to the serial’s theological argument. We conclude that a properly constructed index transforms Ramayan (1987) from a simple retelling into a complex ritualistic text, where repetition and episodic structuring serve pedagogical and devotional ends.
The series follows the chronological narrative of the epic, often categorized into these major arcs: index of ramayan 1987
Hanuman appears in only 34 episodes but drives the emotional high point (Sundar Kand). Ravana is tightly concentrated in the war sequence, reflecting the serial’s reluctance to humanize him earlier. The 1987 television series Ramayan , directed by