PVLF 2025

Interview with Ami Ganatra Author Of Ramayana Unravelled: Lesser Known Facets of Rishi Valmiki’s Epic”

Ami Ganatra, author of Ramayana Unravelled, explores Valmiki's original text to highlight timeless themes, character insights, and the essence of Dharma.
on Nov 15, 2024

About the Author

Ami Ganatra is an alumna of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). A management professional, she is also a devout yoga practitioner, a certified yoga instructor, and a student of Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems. Her books Mahabharata Unravelled and the new one, Ramayana Unravelled, are not retellings or imaginations, but an attempt to go back to the original itihasa and present the story, learnings and nuances for what they are, and make the epics accessible to all.

Frontlist: Your book, Ramayana Unravelled, addresses complex themes within the epic, such as Rama's character development and the dynamics of his relationships. What motivated you to delve into these specific aspects?

Ami: The concept of Dharma has intrigued me since my college days. A lot of the stories I had heard about the actions of our Bhagavans, namely Sri Ram and Sri Krishna, made me question the concept even more. In that, I was like any other girl who questioned the fairness of some of Sri Ram's decisions. The explanations I was given and the books I read explaining those decisions or actions were just not convincing enough. Even more confusing to me was the much-oft-made statement about Dharma — "It is all grey." When I found no convincing answers, I decided to study the texts for myself and went straight to the source — Valmiki Ramayana, when I read the itihasa as narrated.

Frontlist: Reflecting on the journey of writing Ramayana Unravelled, what personal insights or lessons have you gained that extend beyond the text itself?

Ami: I would say one important thing I learned was how to study itihasa. Usually, our attitude is that of a judge pronouncing verdicts on who is right and who is wrong, who is the oppressed and who is the oppressor, often colored by what we think we know. That is a flawed approach to understanding itihasa because its purpose is to give us lessons in our own lives. Hence, it is important to read the granth with an open mind and analyze the events by putting ourselves in the shoes of the characters. The analysis should be holistic, taking into account the character's lifespan and context. Only then do true insights start emerging.

Frontlist: What philosophical themes do you believe are most important in the Ramayana, and how do you address them in Ramayana Unravelled?

Ami: The Ramayana is the story of a young man on the verge of being crowned a king, who, in a drastic turn of events, finds himself in the throes of struggle and ethical dilemmas after being exiled from his kingdom for no fault of his own. Through those struggles, he charts his way to becoming one of the greatest kings and men who has walked on the land of Bharat. The story deals with how one deals with situations not in one's control, how one manages conflicting priorities in life, what allows one to make decisions with far-reaching effects while managing emotions, and what makes the most powerful of warriors and scholars fall against unlikely enemies. These themes apply to Sri Ram and all stakeholders — Dashrath, Kaikeyi, Ravan, Sita, Sugriva, and Hanuman.

Frontlist: As a student of Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems, how has your academic background shaped your understanding of the Ramayana and its themes?

Ami: My academic background is in Engineering and Management. I genuinely believe that the study of sciences along with management helps develop analytical thinking and allows one to take a more objective view of itihasas beyond what is colored by narratives and social theories. That core skill has helped me absorb and present the Ramayana as narrated by Valmiki ji in the way I have in my book Ramayana Unravelled.

Frontlist: What challenges did you face while interpreting the Ramayana for a contemporary audience? How did you navigate these complexities while remaining faithful to the original itihasa?

Ami: Honestly, it wasn't challenging at all because I believe that the Valmiki Ramayana doesn't need any "contemporizing." The story remains relevant and relatable in its original form. Hence, my attempt has been to present the narrative as it is, only in contemporary English. That belief of mine has been confirmed by the response and feedback the book has received from readers across ages.

Frontlist: You pose questions about the characterization of female figures in the Ramayana, like Sita and Kaikeyi. What insights did you uncover regarding their portrayals, and how do you think these insights can contribute to current discussions on gender roles in literature?

Ami: It is unfortunate that the women in the epics are often depicted as helpless figures pushed around by "patriarchy" in popular narratives, which are often shaped by fictional works or later-day retellings. On the contrary, reading the Valmiki Ramayana and Ved Vyasa's Mahabharata brings forth a very different image of the women — all of them, and I write "all" in capitals to emphasize it, are strong, assertive women in their own right who stood their ground and had their way. Their roles in the epics as queens, mothers, and wives are awe-inspiring. They too faced ups and downs in life just like their male counterparts and had their share of struggles. But they were not helpless. I believe their depiction forces us to reconsider the juxtaposition of gender roles with empowerment. Empowerment is not about getting to do a certain job but having the space to make decisions and to be heard. Roles will change as technology and social norms evolve.

Frontlist: The Ramayana has inspired countless interpretations across different cultures and languages. How do you see your work fitting into this broader tradition of retelling and reinterpreting the epic? What unique perspective do you aim to offer?

Ami: I do not seek to offer any "new" perspective. Rather, I offer readers the perspective of Rishi Valmiki, who is credited with the original composition of the Ramayana and who was a contemporary of Sri Ram. There cannot be a more authentic perspective of Sri Ram's life than that of Valmiki ji himself.

Frontlist: In your opinion, what is the significance of studying mythology in the modern world? How do you think these ancient narratives shape our understanding of ethics and morality today?

Ami: Technology changes with time, and social norms change with time, but what hasn't changed is the human psyche — we still have the same vrittis or emotions of desire, anger, greed, jealousy, and pride. Our actions continue to be driven by these emotions. Should one behave as they like and desire, regardless of the impact on others, or should one rein in personal desires in the interest of the larger good of society? We all have to make this choice in some measure, just like our ancestors did in Mahabharata and Ramayana times. In a way, this question defines ethics and morality and is the core theme of the epics — explorations of human relationships and actions driven by these emotions, and the outcomes depending on how well these emotions were channeled. Thus, these epics remain as relevant and relatable today as they were in the past.