Preface: Compiling a Ramayana Anthology p. xiii Acknowledgments p. xvii Note on Transliteration, Translation, and Pronunciation p. xxi Introduction: Whose Ramayana Is It? p. 1 Foundations Plot Line for Reference p. 2 Classifying Ramayanas p. 8 Modern Retellings in the South Modern Tellings as a Category p. 12 South India as a Ramayana Region p. 13 Shared Features Caste, Gender, and Hierarchy p. 19 Modes of Expression and Literary Genres p. 23 Transformations Three Nodes of Narrative Diversity p. 26 Why Ramkatha? p. 29 Sita in Context Introduction p. 37 Asking Sita: The Questions Return by Vijaya Dabbe, Kannada p. 43 Sartorial Dilemmas: Letters from Lady Sita by Kumudini, Tamil p. 45 A Mother-in-Law's Support: Sita Locked Out Women's folksong, Telugu p. 50 Sita's Powers: Do You Accept My Truth, My Lord? Women's folksong, Kannada p. 55 Talking Back: Sita Enters the Fire by Gudipati Venkata Chalam, Telugu p. 58 The Pensive Queen: Sita Immersed in Reflection by Kumaran Asan, Malayalam p. 64 Choosing Music: Forest (excerpt) by Ambai, Tamil p. 88 Forest of Possibilities: Reunion by Volga, Telugu p. 91 Union with Nature: Prakriti and Sovereignty in Aravindan's Kanchana Sita Film p. 99 analysis, Malayalam Struggling with an Ideal: In the Shadow of Sita by Lalitha Lenin, Malayalam p. 108 Stigmatized Characters Introduction p. 111 Transforming a Brahmin: Shudra Tapasvi (excerpt) by "Kuvempu" Kuppalli Venkata p. 119 Puttappa, Kannada Shambuka's Story Anew: Basavalingaiah Re-presents Shudra Tapasvi Performance p. 135 essay, Kannada Ahalya Later: Woman of Stone by K. B. Sreedevi, Malayalam p. 141 Consequences of a Misdeed: Deliverance from the Curse by Pudumaippittan, Tamil p. 146 The Nature of Stone: Ahalya by S. Sivasekaram, Tamil p. 158 Domestic Abuse and the Neurologist: Ahalya by N. S. Madhavan, Malayalam p. 160 so-called Demons Introduction p. 173 Gender Reversal: The Horns of the Horse by C. Subramania Bharati, Tamil p. 181 Male Rivalry and Women: Shurpanakha's Sorrow by Kavanasarma, Telugu p. 187 Marriage Offers: Mappila Ramayana of Hassankutty ("the Mad") Collected by M. N. p. 193 Karassery from T. H. Kunhiraman Nambiar, Malayalam Sita Creates Ravana: Portrait Ramayana (excerpt) by H. S. Venkatesha Murthy, Kannadap. 201 Ravana's Letter from Heaven: Come Unto Me, Janaki by K. Satchidanandan, Malayalam p. 215 Epilogue: Meta-Narrative Everyone Has Anxieties: Lakshmana's Laugh Women's folksong, Telugu p. 221 Glossary p. 227 Bibliography p. 235 List of Contributors p. 243 Index p. 249 Table of Contents provided by Blackwell's Book Services and R.R. Bowker. Used with permission..