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.
Keywords: Ramayan (1987), Ramanand Sagar, television index, epic narrative, serial structure, Ramayana reception. index of ramayan 1987
The televised Ramayan (DD National, 1987–1988) reached an estimated 82% of Indian television viewers at its peak. However, analyzing its 78 episodes (each 25–30 minutes) requires more than plot summary. An index—a systematic reference to episodes, characters, themes, and events—allows scholars to trace narrative recurrences, pacing, and didactic emphases. Unlike a simple table of contents, a proper index of Ramayan (1987) is a navigational and analytical tool. This paper proposes a tripartite index: (1) Chronological Episode Index (with arc markers), (2) Character Appearance Index, and (3) Thematic/Moral Index. Drawing on narratology (Genette, 1980) and television studies (Newcomb & Hirsch, 1983), we demonstrate how the index reveals the serial’s deliberate construction as a modern paath (recitation). The 1987 television series Ramayan , directed by
When someone types "index of" ramayan 1987 into Google, they are usually looking for one of two things: The televised Ramayan (DD National, 1987–1988) reached an
A quick note on safety: While the nostalgia is strong, be careful with raw directory indexes. Many such links host pirated content or potentially harmful files. The safest, legal way to watch the 1987 classic is on YouTube (Shemaroo TV’s official channel) or Amazon Prime Video.
Below is a concise episode guide organized by Kandas (books) and notable episodes for Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987). Episode numbering follows the original Doordarshan broadcast (1–78). Use this as a quick reference to main events per episode.