As Ram Navami is being noticed all through the nation, it’s a good alternative to replicate on a sequence that united the complete nation: Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’. It was not only a present; it was an emotion, a weekly ritual, a second of shared devotion. On the coronary heart of all of it was Arun Govil, whose portrayal of Lord Ram stays unforgettable. He was Lord Ram, and he’ll at all times be Lord Ram.
A present that stopped time
When ‘Ramayan’ used to air on Sunday, it was noticed that streets used to get empty, retailers closed, and households gathered in entrance of the tv. It’s estimated that between 80 – 100 million folks watched the present each week, with viewership reaching practically 85%. In Meerut, folks even requested that the ability provide schedule be adjusted to keep away from shedding the present. It was a nationwide spectacle, not only a present.
Ramanand Sagar’s depiction of the epic narrative of Lord Ram made the legendary story come alive like by no means earlier than. Whereas the units could appear outdated immediately, the earnestness and depth of emotion are nonetheless heartwarming. Arun Govil as Lord Ram, Dipika Chikhlia as Mata Sita, and Sunil Lahri as Lord Lakshman weren’t simply performers, they had been emblems of religion and devotion for Indians from all throughout the nation.
The legacy lives on
Even now, there has not been a lot of a distinction. Throughout the 2020 lockdown, ‘Ramayan’ was replayed and as soon as once more set viewing data. Within the first 4 episodes alone, 170 million folks all over the world tuned in to look at, making it the most-watched leisure present of the time. It was a reminder of the present’s lasting enchantment.
Arun Govil’s iconic, mild, noble Ram continues to resonate. For many Indians who grew up within the Nineteen Eighties and 90s, this ‘Ramayana’ will at all times stay near dwelling. This Ram Navami, we not solely bear in mind Lord Ram, we additionally bear in mind the actor who introduced him to life in entrance of tens of millions
