Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan Is a modern day miracle Ramanand Sagar's mega epic TV Serial "RAMAYAN", when first telecasted in 1987, created unprecedented records. It blazed new trails all over the world with a unique distinction of achieving something which even prophets, scholars, great thinkers, religious leaders, social reformers and politicians could not achieve in centuries. The message of "Ramayan" cut across all the barriers of caste, creed, language and political boundaries. The euphoria that "RAMAYAN" created and documented by the media during its telecast, is itself a legend. Media Documentation | |
Press coverage "It has set the Saryu on fire. Why only the Saryu, the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, even the mythical Saraswati, appear to be affected. Undoubtedly, "Ramayan" is a block-buster in the history of Indian television. On August 1, a crowd over 40,000 waited patiently outside Jaipur's Birla Mandir to have a glimpse of Rama(Arun Govil) and Sita (Dipika) who were due to grace the shrine. Even ministers jostled with mesmerized fans for a "darshan". In Chandigrah, guests at a wedding ceremony were kept waiting as the bride failed to arrive at the "mandap" at the appointed hour. Inquiries revealed that she had refused to get married till the day's episode on television was over. Whether it is Ahmadabad or Patna, Chandigarh or Jaipur, a large number of viewer's, especially women, regard the serial as their main method of communion with God. Consequently, many bathe early and light sticks of incense or earthen lamps while the serial is telecast'." The Times of India, Bombay "Ramayan is a modern day miracle" Screen - Bombay On its launch in 1987, Prime Minister of India Shri RAJIV GANDHI said that Former President of India SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA said "' the ideals and life style in the epic 'RAMAYAN' are valid for humanity forever'" THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ' N.Y. (front page) - CNN - "' 3200 Year old Indian epic -'RAMAYAN' ' streets became deserted as Indians abandoned work and chores to watch the adventure of Lord Rama'" THE TIMES ' London - "''RAMAYAN' is India's most successful television serial, watched weekly by an estimated 40 million people'" A book titled 'NO FULL STOPS IN INDIA' ' Mark Tully ' BBC Correspondent ' devoted one complete chapter with 27 pages to Ramanand Sagar's 'RAMAYAN' and its unbelievable popularity. 5 VOLUMES OF RAMAYAN were translated in Japanese language for OSAKA University of Foreign studies and taught by Prof. Tomio Mizokami to Japanese student in OSAKA University. INDIA TODAY wrote - "''RAMAYAN' is a Divine Sensation'" NELSON Ratings - "''RAMAYAN' generated significant Nelson rating when telecast on "Eye on Asia" in New York'" 56 Events that Changed India India Today ' August 18th 2003 Ramayan in January 1986. After the Sagars' discovered Arun Govil's beatific smile and the power pf tele visual religion, Sunday mornings were never the same again. Nor was India, with Sagar's miracle ' a ' minute amakgam of 14 different versions of Valmiki's epic keeping pace with an aggressive and unapologetic Hundutva that swept the nation Order of the People's National Award - 'Best television serial of the year 1987' Ramayan created unprecedented records. It blazed new trails all over the world with a unique distinction of achieving something which even prophets, scholars, great thinkers, religious leaders, social reformers and politicians could not achieve in centuries. Ramayan has been registered in the Limca Book of Records. As per BBC figures, the serial has been watched by over 650 million people worldwide of which, 40 million Indian viewers regularly watched it on its first telecast. As a soothing spiritual balm ' The entire Nation stopped '.. Turned ' and looked back with pride at our culture, our traditions and heritage of pure ethics and hallowed principles ' RAMAYAN championed the victory of good over evil and boasted of noble virtues. The serial was portrayed in a most aesthetic manner and carried a lot of devotional value for the Indian viewer. Such was the phenomenon of Ramayan that often during the telecasts the streets always wore a deserted look. The message of "Ramayan" cut across all the barriers of caste, creed, language and political boundaries. The euphoria that "RAMAYAN" created and documented by the media during its telecast, it itself is a legend.
|
Awards and Accolades
Some of the important:
Awards:
|
Bombay
| New Delhi
|
Mumbai
|
|
Kanpur
| Chandigarh
|
|
|
Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Honours | Devoted Services to Indian Film Industry as a writer |
Decorated with PADAMASHRI by President of India | DOCTOR OF LITERATURE (D.Lit.) (Honors Causa by Jammu University) |