NARRATOR: Dasa-ratha decided to give Kaikeyi what she wanted as he, after all did promise her. How could he choose between Kaikeyi and Rama? But what would that do to your honor, I wonder? walks around, like a snake encircling its prey. You promised that you would give me any boon that I wanted. KAIKEYI: Do you not remember your promise to me? When you were ill and there was no one to care for you, only I was there. The stage is filled with shocked silence. KAIKEYI: I implore you to make Bharat regent king, and that Rama be banished to the Dandak forest.īeat. KAIKEYI: There is something that I would like to tell you.ĭASA-RATHA: What is it, Kaikeyi, my dear? SERVANT: Queen Kaikeyi requests for an audience with you, my lord. Ī enters and bows before, who sits on his throne. I swear to you that I shall be a good and just king, like you. RAMA: I thank you, dear father, for this great honor. He has the most knowledge and experience that will surely be helpful when he becomes king. When I am dead and gone, one of you must take my place as king. I am now old, and my days are almost done. sits on a throne with, ,, and standing before him.ĭASA-RATHA: I have called the four of you because we need to discuss a very important matter. The audience claps while the curtain closes. and hold hands, smiling whilse facing the audience. stands, approaches, and puts a garland on him. The audience claps even more enthusiastically. JANAK: We have a champion! Rama of Ayodia shall be wedded to my daughter Sita. The audience claps very enthusiastically, some even whooping. The audience claps and cheers enthusiastically. walks in, shoots, and hits near the center. walks in, shoots, and hits outer circle. Whoever shoots the nearest to the center of the target shall win the competition and the hand of my daughter. JANAK: Now, let us begin the competition. ,, and the other royal people are sitting somewhere on the stage.
JANAK: AHA! I know! We will organize an archery competition! Whoever wins shall have your hand in marriage. JANAK: We must find a solution to make it easier, then. SITA: But, Father, there are far too many of them! How would I ever be able to choose? You must pay more attention to your suitors in order for you to be able to choose. JANAK: The time is ripe for you to marry a husband. Too many in fact, that she was not able to choose at all! When they see that it is indeed true, they would bring gifts and ask for her hand. Intrigued, they would go to Mithila to see whether the rumors they hear are true. Narrator: Now, the princess of the Videhas, Sita, had beauty that reached the ears of other kingdoms' royal families. Meanwhile, the Videhas was ruled by the great Janak. He had four sons, Rama being the eldest, Bharat, the second, Lakshman, the third, and Satrughna, the youngest. The Kosalas was ruled by the just king named Dasa-ratha. NARRATOR: Many long years ago, there lived two mighty races, the Kosalas and the Videhas. Scene 1: The Grandeur of Kosalas and Videhas The curtain opens as the narrator speaks. NARRATOR: Here is the Holy legend Ramayana, brought to you by Rishi Valmiki.