5 underrated moments/characters in the Ramayana
1. Kaikeyi, who actually has a fascinating backstory as skilled charioteer (basically medic, mechanic, driver, horse whisperer, cheerleader, and advisor, all in one: there’s a reason why the question of Arjuna and Karna’s charioteers is treated so seriously in the Mahabharata) and who supplementary material gives a really interesting family history. I wish she got portrayed more as such rather than Evil Vamp.
2. Ahalya, who actually predates the Ramayana, and actually appears in the Rig Veda, strangely as Indra’s lover—which to me suggests that there was more to the ancient version of her story than her violation.
3. Tara, so wise Vali’s dying words are to heed her advice, no matter what—I love her so, all the more because her status of Queen goes unquestioned despite her husband’s death.
4.Sarama, wife of Vibhishana, and specifically identified as one of Sita’s benefactors: women supporting other women is rare to find in ancient works, and I think every example should be celebrated.
5. Sita herself—yes, I know she’s the heroine of the entire work, but I feel she gets too often simplified into a bland version of herself: alternatively smiling, simpering, or sobbing. Moreover she is contrasted with Draupadi, who is also awesome—but people forget that one of these women has a speech listing the ways in which she serves her husband and manages her household while not smiling/laughing too loud etc, while the other taunts her husband saying “if my father knew what a coward you were, he never would have given you my hand in marriage” and later, specifically calls him out on the morality of his war against demons (the former is Draupadi, the latter Sita.) Plus, people forget that Sita is spitting mad instead of sad during the agnipariksha, to the point of snapping how dare Rama forget that she was born by miraculous means?