When and how did the mythic “Lankapura” of Valmiki’s Ramayana come to be identified with Sri Lanka? Scholar Justin Henry (University of South Florida) explores the history of the reception of the Ramayana in Sri Lanka, giving attention to the character of Ravana. How is this complex figure seen by the Hindus of the region and valorized as a cultural hero among Sinhala Buddhists?
Co-sponsored by the M.S. Chadha Center for Global India and the Program in South Asian Studies