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Here's welcoming one and all to join in the commemoration of a moment in the history of Indian television that is truly worth celebrating. On 25th January, 1987, a veteran director from Bollywood launched a television serial. It featured a then unknown cast, an archaic storyline, an unpopular timeslot, and a shoestring budget. But most importantly, it was made with a whole lot of heart and soul.
That is why, in spite of all the odds stacked up against him, the director stood behind his idea and turned it into an inimitable phenomenon that brought an entire nation to a standstill. For one hour every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, the streets of India were completely empty as people flooded any place that had a TV to get their fill of this production as it kept then entranced and rekindled religious awareness and devotion in the viewers.
The director was Dr. Ramanand Sagar, heralded as a miracle maker by many media outlets and literary organizations for breathing life into this particular production. The production wasRamayan, the Indian television industry's first blockbuster and the pioneer that introduced to the television landscape its still highly successful mythological genre.
The success of Ramayan prompted several extensions to the serial, and upon popular demand by the spellbound audience, a sequel entitled Uttar Ramayan was produced by Dr. Sagar. He brought together the same cast to continue the story of Lord Ram and Devi Sita after they had ascended the throne of Ayodhya; this too, was met with enthusiasm and inspired devotion. Together, these two parts made up Sampoorn Ramayan with which Dr. Ramanand Sagar created a lasting legacy. 27 years later, it is still a revered favorite in many Hindu households, and much of a generation credits this serial with its knowledge of, or at least its interest in, ancient Indian scriptures and spiritual values.
Encouraged by the success of Ramayan, many directors decided to produce mythological serials of their own from various tales of Hindu lore. The epic Ramayan itself was recreated many times throughout the years since 1987, but Dr. Ramanand Sagar's version forever holds a special place in the hearts of all its fans. Far beyond a medium of entertainment, the show has served as a source of spiritual awakening for an audience whose demographics transcend the barriers of age, nationality, caste, and creed. We are proud to celebrate its continued success, and we hope that its noble effect touches hearts and souls for many generations to come.
Please join us today as we celebrate the 27th anniversary of this priceless mythological serial, and if you were one of those fortunate people who saw Ramayan when it first aired in 1987, re-awaken those memories and share them with us. How was it to witness the standstill and popularity of Ramayan firsthand? How crazy were you and your family about the show?
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.
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