It's an ancient Hindu poem, so why does The Ramayana still resonate?

It's been called "The Odyssey of the East", and the ancient Hindu poem remains central to Asian cultures and traditions from India to Indonesia 2500 years after it was written. From the names of Thai kings, to traditional Javanese shadow puppets, the ancient temples of Cambodia's Angkor Wat to contemporary Indian politics, the journeys of Rama and his wife Sita are deeply embedded. Why does this story endure? The conversation The Ramayana reimagined: storytelling across cultures was recorded at the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of the exhibition, Avatar: Forms of Vishnu, on until 5 October 2026. Speakers: Dr. Chaitanya Sambrani Co-curator (with Melanie Eastburn) of Avatar: Forms of Vishnu exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales Art historian, Australian National University Savanhdary Vongpoothorn Painter, sculptor and installation artist Alfira O'Sullivan Artistic Director and solo artist with Suara Indonesia Dance Sunil Badami (host) Writer, broadcaster and academic