THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI Volume 1 Bala & Ayodhya Kandas

The mythic story of Rama has been told for thousands of years. This translation preserves the depth and resonance developed through oral transmission, and Richard Ross's delivery fits perfectly. Gentle musical interludes bracket his speech, and the many threads of the story flow from his lips as if he were telling them from memory. Names of Indian places and deities fit perfectly into the cadence of verse in English, and Ross's vocal tones shift dramatically to match the Ramayana's emotional range. Every library should have a copy. However, despite its superior quality, this production is overwhelming. It so succeeds at capturing Indian culture that it will likely appeal mainly to those already familiar with the subject. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 03]