Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Starred Review The 3,000-year-old Sanskrit epic poem Ramayana, which provides role models for both boys and girls in India, is interpreted here with gorgeous, vibrant illustrations in the style of Patua scroll paintings that are often oriented on the page in comic-book-like arrangements. This is a bit of a feminist retelling, for in it, Rama's wife, Sita, takes center stage, and through her eyes we see the tale of her seclusion, rescue, re-exile, and ultimate choice to remain independent, as well as the battles and revealed identities that make up much of the poem's action. The author and artist responsible for this fabulous reconstruction live in India and invest art and text with classic aesthetics and also modern cues that North American readers will appreciate. It is a great accomplishment that none of the poem's eloquence or dignity is lost. The age range for this book is really boundless. Readers now can re-read it as they mature and come to appreciate the tale's many subtleties. A fine addition for both youth and general collections, reading groups, and curriculum-planners interested in diversifying foreign literature, art-book, and ethnic studies reading.

Horn Book

Bold lines and vivid colors draw readers through the panels of this ancient Hindu epic (even when the text gets a bit long for a graphic novel). Arni presents the story of Queen Sita's abduction by Ravana, the Demon King, and her rescue by Rama, aided by Hanuman the wise monkey. This interpretation's feminist bent is documented in an afterword.

Kirkus Reviews

A vibrantly illustrated graphic-novel retelling of an ancient Indian legend. Written in 300 B.C.E., the Ramayana is one of the great epics of India. In a world where demons and monkeys mingle freely with humans, Queen Sita has been living peacefully with her husband, King Rama, and his brother, Lakshmana. A treacherous demon tries to trick Rama, and an impulsive act of violence on Rama's part begins a years-long war that begets nothing but violence and heartbreak for the queen. Through her husband's impetuous deed, Sita becomes part of a vengeful plot and is abducted by a fierce, evil demon king. Rama wages a bloody war to win back his queen, though once rescued, Sita's tale really only just begins. It's not quite a traditional graphic novel: Chitrakar's art is in the style of Patua scrolls, a long Indian narrative form. In a stark departure from Western styles of illustration, the characters are each depicted in a similar way and can be difficult to tell apart at times. Also somewhat jarring is the type—a hard, modern-looking one that strangely alternates all caps and regular text—that seems anachronistic against the very traditional-looking backdrop. These idiosyncrasies aside however, Sita's tale is absolutely compelling and exciting. A valuable piece of historical literature brought to the forefront for thoughtful new readers. (Graphic novel. 12 & up)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The Ramayana, one of India-s ancient epics, like the Iliad, features two kingdoms at war over a beautiful queen. Arni (The Mahabharatha: A Child-s View) gives that queen a voice. Sita, imprisoned in a garden with demons for guards, hears reports of the battles between her husband-s allies and those of her abductor, but they bring little satisfaction. Instead, she questions the glory of male heroism: -War, in some ways, is merciful to men.... But if you are a woman... you become the mother of dead sons, a widow, or an orphan; or worse, a prisoner.- The fantastic creatures of the epic appear as in the original-the snake-eating bird-deity Garuda, the form-changing monkey hero Hanuman, the animals who build a gigantic bridge over the ocean-but their deeds are tinged with sadness. Chitrakar-s (Tsunami) traditional Bengali figures, with their static poses and staring eyes, are energized by dynamic, graphic novel-style panel layouts, but they-re unlikely by themselves to draw young readers, who may struggle with the story-s complexity. Nonetheless, Arni-s retelling is a moving and important one. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Gr 5 Up-The Ramayana is the story of the exiled prince Rama and his beautiful wife, Sita. When she is kidnapped by a love-struck demon king, her husband's efforts to rescue her result in a war that eventually involves not only demons and mortals, but also gods, monsters, and even animals. The story has been told and retold, performed and translated in every medium imaginable. Here, a Patua scroll painter has adapted it as a fast-paced, brilliantly bold graphic novel. All of the suspense, treachery, sorcery, and pathos of this epic is depicted in homemade natural dyes layered onto paper in energetic lines, rhythmic patterns, and fields of hot, bright colors. Taut but soulful narrative and dialogue help to tell the story, especially for readers unfamiliar with Hindu iconography. The layout merits particular mention: large panels on pages with abundant white space are interspersed with busier, more action-packed pages. Panels with diagonal edges indicate movement, while round dialogue bubbles and rectilinear swatches of narration are used as compositional elements, sometimes captioning a panel, sometimes stitching two panels together. But even if this book were not created in a little-known traditional medium, even if its story were not one of the most prominent epics in South Asian culture, even if the authors had not made the unusual choice of presenting the Ramayana from Sita's point of viewthis book would be a must-purchase based on the strength of its dramatic story and arresting art, enhanced by superior design and high-quality production. Brilliant and fresh. Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD