Importance of Kakawin Ramayana for India’s Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy towards Indonesia

When one remarks on the significance of ancient Indian literature, Ramayana is looked upon as a major epic. It has traveled to various destinations, won the hearts of people, and has been rewritten many times. Valmiki’s Ramayana is the most popular amongst all, but one must also understand the multiple other writings. It has spread to various countries and been interpreted in various Indian languages. Kakawin Ramayana, written in the Old Javanese language in Indonesia, deserves special mention with respect to the important role it plays in the values, education systems, and cultural milieu of Indonesia. One of the distinguishing features of the Kakawin Ramayana is its portrayal of Indonesian landscapes, customs, and traditions. Additionally, it incorporates Javanese spiritual concepts and philosophical ideas, giving the epic a unique flavor. The Kakawin Ramayana follows the narrative of the original Indian Ramayana but is infused with Javanese cultural elements, beliefs, and perspectives. There may be differences between the Indian and Kakawin Ramayana, from textual interpolation to story, but the special significance attached to virtue, truth, and duty are of paramount importance in both. Ethical values are supreme to the concept of Dharma, or righteousness. They play an important role in nurturing the civic sense of the polity and in nationbuilding. The paper attempts to discuss the important role played by the influence of Kakawin Ramayana in Indonesia. It tries to underline the cultural interlinkages of the region and how they must be nurtured further. The paper also draws on reflections from arts, dance, and performances to underline the unique significance of Ramayana as a literary work.