The Ramayana

Inspirations Theater Camp

Summer 2016

Script and Songs by Torsti Rovainen

Rights held by Rovainen Musicals

Story based on the ancient Indian epic of The Ramayana

Some spoken lines in Scene IIIB from a translation

of The Kurontokai (The Ancient Epic of Love)

Script printed on post-consumer recycled paper

using less environmentally damaging inks

Rovainen Musicals
Inspirations Theater Camps and Clubs
http://rovainenmusicals.com
 Scene Synopsis / Song List
ACT I
(Overture)

0.0: Street scene in modern-day India: Boy playing gets into fight, comforted by Grandmother who sings The
Ramayana along with Demon and Human Narrators. Describes creation of world of yakshas and Rakshasas,
rakshasas initially peaceful; how Ravana came to be; Rakshasas beginning to prey on humans; the no-man's
land between Rakshasa & human territory; Rama & Lakshmana's roles along with Vibishina

I Opening Village Bazaar Bazaar Song

II Rama learns he to become king in How To Be King Sung by Dasaratha his ministers; overheard by
Kaikeyi's servants Manthara and Suchara; Manthara and Suchara discuss the news of Rama's planned kingship.

III Sita's rooms; she is arguing with her father about her rejecting suitors. He reflects on how they used to get
along in the Lullaby and Then You'd Grow. Maidservants enter for You Should Marry Transitions to brief
balcony scene where Rama and Sita see each other and are enamored; brief song (at end of You Should Marry)

III.B Having met Sita, Rama is smitten; Lakshamana and the other warriors try to persuade Rama not to marry
her, instead to stay single and a warrior in Love Just Makes Things Worse

IV Bowlifting ceremony; Rama and Sita decide to marry

V Beha Din Ayo Bollywood-inspired short song and dance showing Ayodhya celebrating the upcoming wed-
ding

VI Manthara and Suchara persuade Kaikeyi to have Rama banished and Bharatha put on throne He Promised
You

VII Na Jane Rama's Mother, Viswamithra, Sumanthra, nobles, and townsfolk singing to Rama to stay.

VIII Ravana's War Council Room: we see the demons debating what to do about the human intrusion into the
Dandaka Forest, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana having made a homestead there; we get to know Vibishina a bit
more and see the beginnings of his conflict with his brother. Surpanakha comes forth to take a demon raiding
party to get rid of the intruders.

IX Surpanakha tries to seduce Rama Marry Me; defeated in fight by Rama and Lakshmana.

X Surpanakha soliloquoy

X.i Some demons sing the Demon song Rakshasa City then we transition to Surpanakha & court persuading
Ravana to marry in You Need A Wife

XI Ravana arrives at time Rama and Lakshmana are gone; he kidnaps Sita, fought by Jatayu the eagle

XI.B Ravana imprisons Sita in Lanka. Laksh and Rama come back and hear from the dying Jatayu what hap-
pened. Ravana, Sita, Vibishina, Rama, and Lakshmana all sing in the We Will Go on (Finale)

INTERMISSION
 Act II
XII Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman and monkeys I Am Hanuman Hanuman offers to help them.

XIII Monkey City Bollywood song Bodol Ysili Ma. Hanuman details plan for getting to Lanka to see if Sita is
there: he will make the jump over the ocean and bring back a report.

XIV Lanka; Ravana attempts to persuade Sita with tenderness, a poem, then My Queen. Demonesses taunt
her with Your Time Will Soon Be Done Sita debates what to do (this time whether to marry Ravana in order
to stay alive, the subtext being to end things otherwise) in Should I Go? (Sita) In the song she is visited by the
memory-picture of her father who sings with her as a duet. Hanuman arrives at end of song, letting Sita know
Rama is coming soon and to hold on in Right Now, and is chased off by the Rakshasas.

XV Hanuman arrives back at the Monkey camp with the report. Hanuman and Lakshamana decide to invade
Lanka—but how to cross the ocean? Bridge Song

XVI Generals debate what to do, Vibishina objects to war, defects in Should I Go (Vibishina)?

XVII Rama and Lakshmana debate best course, Lakshmana advising all-out war, Rama caution. They bitterly
disagree and walk away angry with each other. War Song involving Lakshmana rousing monkeys, demons
singing about their strength, Rama comforting and encouraging a reluctant soldier, Rama debating whether war
is right, ending with he and Lakshmana agreeing to put aside their differences, Rama having decided war is the
best course here.

XVIII War scene with drums; Rama finds fallen reluctant soldier. Calls out Ravana for final battle, Rama
winning. Reunion with Sita, Vibishina made king of Rakshasas. Rama gets message from Bharata that he is
welcome back and can assume kingship. Finale

Songs in Nepali / Sanskritic

—AND How to read the script when it comes to lyrics for songs

Beha Din Ayo Beha din ayo; natchne par cha x 3

The wedding day has arrived; it's time to dance
Hami natchne mont par cha
We love to dance

Na Jane Na jane; Hami maya dine;

Don't go, we love you
Tapai januhuncha tyespachadi; aichlai aouncha
After you go we'll feel alone
Na jane; Hami ta somjine
Don't go; you'll be in our thoughts
Sapanama dekcha matra
We'll only see you in dreams
Kohille phere aoundicha; johille tapai hami chaincha, chaincha;
When will you return? Whenever you need us

Bodol Ysili Ma O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o, hey-o, hey-o

O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o, hey-o din ma!
Nonsense words

Hami natchne natchne montparcha

We like to dance
Ysili manche niskincha
Silly people should move about too
 Hami natchne natchne montparcha
We like to dance
Bodol haru ysili ma
The monkeys are silly

Muskoune sdye din ma

We smile all day
Bodol bodol ysili cha
The monkeys are silly
A-a, Muskoune sdye din a recha
We smile all day (plus nonsense word)
Bodol haru ysili ma, recha,
Bodol haru ysili ma
The monkeys are silly

Parts of the script that both the Friday/Saturday performances and the Thursday performance share
are in boldface

Parts that are only in the Friday/Saturday performances are in plain text.

Scene numbers and song titles are underlined:

Scene V How To Be King

Beat Numbers are italicized, boldfaced, and underlined. Beats are a way for actors and stage managers to keep
track of where we are in a play. Some scenes have only one beat, while others have four or more.

Beats are numbered continuously for the longer show, not the shorter one.

How to read song lyrics, timing, and groups.

1) While dialogue is plain text, singing lines are in italics.

VILLAGER: White-eyed jackfish, fresh today!

2) If two or more groups share the timing of a sung line, the bottommost singer will have their name and the
first word of their song underlined to indicate that these two lines happen concurrently and not sequentially.

S,V,D,L:You'll be a king some day!

Rama: I'll be a king some day!

3A) If groups sing on the same line but at different times, the text is placed so that you can see where one
group stops and one starts. In the next example, 'The Demon King who feeds on terror and our cries of pain' is
one line in the song, but the Demons only sing the first half, while the Humans sing both parts.

DEMONS & HUMANS: The Demon King who feeds on terror

HUMANS: and our cries of pain

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3B) Sometimes the timing / spacing is more complicated, with multiple groups. In this case, in one sung line
we have two groups and three individuals, sometimes having individual parts (as with the Demons singing
'One of battles), sometimes shared (as the Humans and Vibishina singing 'Justice!')

Since this can be complicated to sort out, it is best done while listening to the music of that song.

DEMONS: One of battles, of sword and claw;

HUMANS, variously: of darkness, justice; love,
VIBISHINA, RAMA, LAKSHMANA: (V) Justice! (R) Love! (L) Of sword!

4) For longer separated parts, we simply list the lines in groups based on the singer, but will note that the lines
in these groups are sung together or intertwined.

LAKSHMANA: Rama, go! We should go, every minute she gets farther away,
And you sit there, you waste time to pray!
She needs our aid, and you/we need to find a better way

RAMA: My God...I ask of you today,

To help us find our way
She needs our aid, and you need to find a better way

List of Players

Rama Son of Dasaratha Sita's Servants

Sita Daughter of Janaka Demon Tormentors Sita's Guards
Lakshmana Son of Dasaratha Na Jane Chorus
Hanuman King of the Monkeys Bowlifters Compete for Sita's Hand

Ravana 10-Headed Demon King Indrajit Ravana's Son

Vibishina Brother of Ravana General Prabasta of Ravana's Army
Surpanakha Sister of Ravana General Yamaraj “ “ “
Demon Surpanakha “ “ “ Fighting Rakshasas (Demons)

Dasaratha King of Ayodhya Bharata Kaikeyi's Son

Viswamithra Holy Man to Dasaratha Jatayu King of the Eagles
Sumanthra Minister to Dasaratha
Kausalya Rama's Mother Ayodhyan Villagers
Kaikeyi Wife To Dasaratha Sari Sellers
Manthara Servant to Kaikeyi
Suchara Servant to Kaikey Monkeys

Janaka Sita's Father

Janaka’s Steward .

Lakshmana's Warrior Gang:

Deepak
Pratosh
Ganesh
Narayan

Mandeep Boy in Narration

Grandmother His Grandmother
Demon Narrators
Human Narrators
Children in Narration; one named Pankaja

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 ACT I
(Overture)

Scene 0.0 Narration Opening Beat 1 Streets of a town in modern-day India. A group of children is playing
amicably; an older woman is threshing some grain or knitting to one side. Among the children an argument
begins to develop centered on MANDEEP and a child bigger than him. The older child shoves MANDEEP to
the ground, and laughs along with several of the other children; a few look unsure what to do. MANDEEP
nurses his elbow as he makes his way to his GRANDMOTHER. The other CHILDREN go off.

GRANDMOTHER: Child, all you all right?

MANDEEP (hiding his elbow): I'm fine.

She gives him a fixed but compassionate stare.

MANDEEP: It was Pankaja! He threw me down. He thinks he can do anything he wants!

GRANDMOTHER: (during this has taken out a rag and some ointments) Let me see that arm. (She begins to
gently cleanse and dress his arm)

MANDEEP: Naniji, why is he so mean? I try to be nice to him.

GRANDMOTHER: When people act that way, we must take extra care and time to understand them—even if
it's hard, and especially when they remind us of the evil rakshasas who once almost conquered India.

MANDEEP: Rakshasas?

GRANDMOTHER: Rakshasas were once a noble race—brave, decisive and loyal; but when out of balance,
they could be selfish, unkind, and cruel.

MANDEEP: Like Pankaja.

GRANDMOTHER: People now might have some rakshasa flowing through them, but once the rakshasas
walked the earth, just as you and I do. This was long, long ago...

The Ramayana Beat 2

GRANDMOTHER: Before humans walked the earth

The gods first gave birth
To the yakshas and rakshasas; the two lived as one,
But when humans came along
The rakshasas, brash and strong
Began to rob the people, fight them, even hunt them down,
Rakshasas then would hunt the people down.

GRANDMOTHER: After many costly battles between the humans and the rakshasas, the demons took
their home in the south, the people in the north, with the Dandaka forest lying in between. Both humans
and rakshasas were forbidden to enter that forest, at risk of war. Then;

GRANDMOTHER: Into this world a demon came

GRANDMOTHER / DEMON NARRATORS: Ravana was his name
DEMONS: Ten heads he had, and fire in his eyes,
DEMONS & HUMANS:He ravaged and he poisoned all the lands
DEMONS: In Lanka, now he stands,
DEMONS & HUMANS:The Demon King who feeds on terror
HUMANS: and our cries of pain

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DEMONS & HUMANS:Until beaten, Demon King he will remain.

HUMAN NARRATOR: Then to this world was born

A god in human form
HUMANS: Called Rama, his mission it would be
To reunite those who were apart
If he could find the heart, and courage,
To help those who were blind to finally see again
To free them from the prison of their pain.

HUMANS, DEMONS: Each had a brother strong

Each sang a different song
DEMONS: Vibishina, who tried to work for peace
HUMANS: Lakshmana was brave
DEMONS: But would send demons to their graves
HUMANS & DEMONS:Before believing that they'd ever be at peace again
DEMONS: He'd as soon see every demon slain.

GRANDMOTHER: Now listen close, my dear,

HUMANS & DEMONS:This story, you shall hear,

DEMONS: One of battles, of sword and claw;

HUMANS, variously: of darkness, justice; love,
VIBISHINA, RAMA, LAKSHMANA: (V) Justice! (R) Love! (L) Of sword!

HUMANS & DEMONS:As to who prevailed

You'll hear that in the tale
Of The Ramayana!

Scene I: Ayodhian Streets Beat 3

Bazaar Song

VILLAGERS: In Ayodhya the day has come

In Ayodhya the day has come
In Ayodhya the day has come (perhaps a random market cry or two; we make these up at camp)
In Ayodhya the day has come (market cry or two)

VILLAGER: White-eyed jackfish, fresh today!

ANOTHER: Move that cart it's in the way!
THIRD: Come on Sabita, we don't have all day!
FOURTH: (aside): Just like a camel, he can bray!

VILLAGERS: Has come...(Market Cry) has come; (Another Cry)

SARI SELLERS: Saris made from the finest silk today (Market Cry)
Brought here by elephants from Bombay (Cry)
Colors from a million butterflies (Cry)
Certain to catch your true love's eye

VILLAGERS: Has come...(Cry, cry) has come.

Music change as RAMA and LAKSHMANA duck and weave through the bazaar. SUMANTHRA appears,
searching for them. LAKSHMANA coaxes RAMA into target-shooting with their bow and arrows until
SUMANTHRA catches them, then stalks off with the two Princes in tow.

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Scene II: Dasaratha’s Throne Room Beat 4

VISWAMITHRA: But my king, you have ruled well; the people love you, and you have years left of
health and vigor! Why would you consider giving over the throne before its time? And to Rama—who is
still just a boy!

DASARATHA: Would Rama not be fit to be king?

VISWAMITHRA: I allow that he is strong—he and Lakshmana proved themselves against the demon Rak-
shasas at Sidhasrama. He is also well-loved by the people—but wise? He and his brother are always up to
some mischief or another—

Enter RAMA, LAKSHMANA, and SUMANTHRA

SUMANTHRA: I found them!

RAMA: My father and king, we were in the market—

LAKSHMANA: Hard at work at archery practice!

SUMANTHRA: Yes, shooting at their aunt's laundry line.

LAKSHMANA: Her sari does make a nice target!

DASARATHA: Rama, as you can see, your father is getting old. As the child of my eldest queen, the
time has come for you to take over as leader of the land. You will be crowned king in one month's time.

RAMA AND LAKSHMANA react to this, as does SUMANTHRA

VISWAMITHRA: Then he must be trained in the kingly arts.

SUMANTHRA: Learn kingly decorum.

VISWAMITHRA: He must listen to wise counsel.

SUMANTHRA: And to watch the sundial more closely.

DASARATHA: Rama, listen well on how to be king:

How to Be King Beat 5

D: Invade the Persians but only in spring,

Trim your sideburns before being seen,
Make sure your jesters can sing,
S,V,D: And on your shoulders wear purple and green.
S,V,D: In these colors you can pose and preen,
S,V,D: Then quite soon as a king you'll be seen!

V: Wave your right hand if in public you go,

S: For your portraits you must look stern,
D: Make sure your sword is this long...or so...
S,V,D: When doing yoga, you feel the burn;
Yes, dip to the right and turn—
Only a few more poses to learn...to learn...to learn...
And the respect of your subjects you'll earn!

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S: If lords request audience, they wait a day,
For wizened old holy men, give them their say,
Give diplomats presents but don't let them stay,
S,V,D: When riding on elephants watch for the sway,
S: If a soldier's caught sleeping then dock a day's pay,
Supplicants begging? Send them on their way!
Eat your samosas off fine silver trays,
D: Now here's the most helpful advice I can say.

KAIKEYI AND KAUSAYLA enter arguing; MANTHARA AND SUCHARA follow a few steps behind.
KAIKEYI and KAUSAYLA exit, but MANTHARA and SUCHARA linger behind a pillar to listen.

D: When your wives argue, get out of the way

If they're angry, don't join the fray,
S,V,D: Best instead just to hide and pray,
Then you'll be a king some-
RAMA: I'll be a king some-

S,V,D,L: You'll be a king some day!

RAMA: I'll be a king some day!

Beat 6

DASARATHA: Rama, to survive, even thrive on the throne, you'll need—

VISWAMITHRA: He'll need a wise holy man at his side?

SUMANTHRA: A loyal minister ready to do his bidding!

LAKSHMANA: A bow and arrow ready to sing!

DASARATHA: No! Rama, a king needs a queen!

[All react to this in their own way]

DASARATHA: Janaka, of the great city of Mithila, has a lovely daughter Sita who is now of marrying
age. He has a bow that no man has yet been able to lift—

LAKSHMANA: -I- could lift any bow.

DASARATHA: Janaka has decreed that only those who can lift this great bow will be eligible to marry Sita.

LAKSHMANA: No, not me! Marriage is for weakli—

They all look at him

LAKSHMANA: —Uh, marriage is...for kings! A noble institution. Truly.

DASARATHA: Rama, you, Lakshmana and Sumanthra will go to Mithila for the bow-ceremony. Lak-
shmana, take some of the warriors as well.

RAMA and LAKSHMANA wander off

DASARATHA: See they stay out of trouble, for heaven's sake! Now: no word of Rama being king until we see
if this marriage comes to be. If Rama does succeed in winning Sita's hand, we will have the grandest celebra-
tion Ayodhya has ever seen—a crowning and a wedding, all on the same day!

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They exit, perhaps humming the tune of How To Be King. MANTHARA and SUCHARA come forth

Beat 7

MANTHARA: Rama to be king! Rama's mother Kausayla would become queen, while our lady Kaikeyi
would fall into the shadows. Disgrace! We can't let this happen.

SUCHARA: But what can we do?

MANTHARA: When Rama returns from Mithila, we'll have Kaikeyi use those two boons the king promised
her.

SUCHARA: Ah...then we might...(They grin slyly at each other) But our lady Kaikeyi will need some...persua-
sion, yes?

MANTHARA: Sadly, she doesn't always know what's best for her.

SUCHARA: It's a good thing she has us to guide her. (They exit, chuckling)

Scene III: Mithila, inside the palace. Beat 8 SITA present; JANAKA enters

JANAKA: Ah, Sita, the joy of my life. I trust you are well? Well-rested? Well-rested for tomorrow's
bowlifting ceremony?

SITA: Father, we talked about this. I'm not going.

JANAKA. But, Sita...these princes and princesses have—

SITA: (imitating Janaka's voice and manner, jumping in at the same time he is saying these words) '...these
princes and princesses have traveled over mountains, rivers, and seas to be here; any one of them would
make you a fine match.'

JANAKA: That Badraji from Baranasi is a good man. He is wealthy, young, handsome,—

SITA: He is -only- coming here to curry your favor, so that one day he will be king!

JANAKA: Sita, you know I've said that only you have final consent for your marriage; but to not even
attend the ceremony! It would be an insult to these princes, princesses, and to their parents—kings and
queens with whom we have to keep a good peace.

SITA: Then you shouldn't have set this up in the first place without asking me.

JANAKA: Sita, most girls would give anything for a chance to—

SITA: Then let THEM be paraded around like peacocks, like some cattle for sale in the market! I won't
do it!

JANAKA: But—

SITA: I SAID NO!

JANAKA: Sita, what happened? We used to be friends. Remember flying those kites together on Dasain, or
our walks in the flower gardens?

SITA is resolutely silent.

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JANAKA: I wish you had had a mother to help raise you. I tried my best. I remember when you were still in
the crib; I'd sing your lullaby, usually a job the aamas had. Do you remember?

SITA is still turned away from him, unresponsive; but we see a flickering of indecision on her face.

Lullaby Beat 9

JANAKA: Sita, my daughter dear, a new day soon will find you
Nighttime you needn't fear, don't let the darkness blind you
Tomorrow's a new day; you'll run, and laugh and play
Your story's yours to write; now sleep well tonight; good night; good night;

JANAKA: It wasn't long before you were walking, talking—you were hard to keep up with, even then!

Then You'd Grow

JANAKA: When you were three

You'd outrun the palace maids, so wild and free
At five you'd read me stories, you'd sit on my knee
We'd skip through the hallways, I thought you'd be
A little girl always, but then you'd grow;
You'd start to pull away,
I'd say, don't go; please, don't go;

At ten
You knew the names of every flower, remember when?
We'd fly kites up in the tower, they would dance, so free
At twelve you'd remind me, you'd say 'Father, please be
At least twelve steps behind me!' when we'd walk through the halls,
But still you'd smile
I prayed that it would last a while
Then you'd grow,
I'd say don't go;

And now we're so far apart

Sita, it's breaking my heart
I don't know what to say to you
I try, but words just don't get through
I know; please, don't go

Away; Sita, please stay;

I still love you so
I'm not a perfect father, I know
Don't go; away...
Sita...please don't go
Don't go...

JANAKA stops singing, hoping SITA turns around; when she doesn't, he leaves. Soon after,

SITA: Please don't go... Father? (She turns towards where he was, and realizes he has gone)
Away.

Enter SERVANTS Beat 10

SERVANT ONE: Is all well, Maharani?

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SITA: I'm...fine. (Change of mood) Father wants me to marry one of those suitors tomorrow.

SERVANT TWO: Can you believe how many princes and princesses are here?

SERVANT THREE: They've been coming through the palace gates for the past three days!

SERVANT FOUR: One came with a team of twenty elephants!

SERVANT ONE: And that one, Jhamleji, is such a dream!

SITA looks unimpressed. In the following song, either one servant acts as JHAMLEJI, parading about with
his fine hair; or we have a JHAMLEJI appear sidestage who is preening as they sing about him, perhaps
looking despondent when SITA eventually rejects the idea of being with him. As each suitor is rejected, the
next comes or a servant acts as that one.

You Should Marry Beat 11

SERVANTS: O-oh, you should marry Jhamleji, his hair is full of curls,
And he'll bring you flowers and sweet perfume
SITA: As he has to all the girls
SERVANTS:As...as he has to all the girls!

O-oh, you should marry Badraji, a prince who has your father's eye
SITA: Then let my father marry him

SERVANTS ONE AND TWO: I would like to see him try

SERVANTS: I...I would like to see him try.

Sita, you are hard to please, the men are on their hands and knees,
If you...don't marry soon, you will soon turn old and grey
And they will all be on their way

SITA: Then, you'll have nothing left to say

SERVANTS: O-oh, you should marry Prembaji, his castle has a hundred rams
And he's rich, and smart, can stitch, likes art
Breeds cats, hunts boar, trains bats, won't snore
Climbs trees, sings bass, eats cheese, wears lace...

The SERVANTS are in their own world talking about PREMBAJI sotto voce (though we might have them
exit if their being on stage is distracting.; SITA wanders away from them, unnoticed, to what we hope will
appear like a balcony. As she sings, we see RAMA wandering nearby.

SITA: The night, the stars, the soft moonlight and flowers,
Give me sweet company to while the hours…

RAMA: How bright, the stars and moonlight shine, so free,

What joy, and splendor for my eyes to see

Their eyes meet. Both pause and stare for a moment, and we are led to understand it's love at first sight.

Scene IIIB: Beat 12 LAKSHMANA, SUMANTHRA, and some WARRIORS are around a fire, laughing
and talking. RAMA enters with stars in his eyes, all agog. LAKSHMANA sees RAMA and rises, approach-
ing him.

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LAKSHMANA: Rama! Deepak here was just telling us about his fight with the Ogre of Srinagar and—
hey, what's gotten over you? Where did you go?

RAMA: Go? Say instead departed! For

Fearlessly, my heart has departed

To embrace my beloved.
If its arms are too slack to hold her,
What use is it?

PRATOSH: (aghast): He's quoting Talaivan from the Kuruntokai!

DEEPAK: The ancient epic of love! {Note: this could be emphasized as 'love!?' or 'love?' or 'love?!'}

PRATOSH: He's doomed!

NARAYAN, DEEPAK, GANESH, and PRATOSH approach RAMA, teasing him as they say these lines

NARAYAN: Rama, has her radiant beauty captivated you?

GANESH: Have her large liquid eyes, like lotus blossoms

dancing, sharp as arrows,
wounded you deeply? RAMA nods vacuously

DEEPAK: Now he frets like a bull calf

Tied up in the stall
When the spring comes!

The GANG collapses laughing

LAKSHMANA: Rama, I held my tongue in front of your father the king; but this bow-ceremony and talk of
marriage is madness! Romantic love? Flowers! Courtship? Pzhah! How can a woman compare to a sword?

RAMA: She is like an exquisite garland of white kantal flowers

And bright green buds of jasmine, yet to unfold.

LAKSHMANA: [Forget love!] I too can quote the Kuruntokai. Does it not also say that a true warrior would
prefer

To cross that impassable wilderness

Where the only shade
For the elephants
Are the stone cairns
Heaped up in the burning desert
And topped with dry leaves
Under which murdered travellers
Lay buried.

RAMA doesn't react in quite the way LAKSHMANA would have wished;

LAKSHMANA: Rama, When a warrior marries, he goes soft! Instead of training for war, he shops; in-
stead of fighting, he bobs a crying baby on his knee. Love—love is a warrior's demise.

Love Just Makes Things Worse Beat 13

LAKSHMANA: When you're a warrior, your days—are yours,

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 Yours for battle, yours to train; you're at peace
PRATOSH: You're still sane!
LAKSHMANA: Once you're married, your life's a bore;
CHORUS: life's a bore;
DEEPAK: She'll make you bow and speak politely
NARAYAN: She'll expect your presence nightly
PRATOSH & GANESH:Then she'll show you the whip and cane,
CHORUS + L: She'll show you the whip and cane.

GANESH: You'll fix her lunch, you'll cook her dinner,

NARAYAN: You'll grow fat
PRATOSH: No, he'll grow thinner
CHORUS +L (except one acting as Sita): And she'll make you carry 'round her purse
DEEPAK: He'll clean her scarves,
NARAYAN: He'll clean her socks,
PRATOSH: She'll work him ragged
GANESH & PRATOSH: like an ox!
CHORUS +L: We tell you, marriage, Rama, is a curse;
And love just makes things worse

LAKSHMANA: Picture a warrior, his mind sharp and clear

GANESH & PRATOSH: Sharp and clear!

LAKSHMANA: Devoted to duty, and free from all fear,

GANESH: free from all fear,

L + PRATOSH: Then he spies a new man, there,

L + PRATOSH + GANESH: Muscled, and grand, there [4 beat, possible whistle on beats 2 and 3]
He loses his mind, becomes deaf and blind
He acts like a fool, then he gibbers and he drools

CHORUS + L: If his friends had just gotten there first;

He'd know that love just makes things worse

DEEPAK: Say you have a beauty and you've pledged to her your heart

NARAYAN: You've promised her you'll never grow apart

DEEPAK: you'll never grow apart
PRATOSH: We'll never grow apart!

L + DEEPAK + NARAYAN: But then walking down the street

Comes a dove you'd like to meet
And it's like you drank a love potion, you're right back at the start...

One of them pretends to give Pratosh a love potion

DEEPAK & NARAYAN: He's right back at the start

PRATOSH: I'm right back at the start

PRATOSH (grandly): Not Herminya, but Helinyaa I love!

L, DEEPAK, NARAYAN, GANESH: He loves,

[Note: for the Thursday performance, the group will likely sing unison in this and other places, rather than
splitting into all the parts]

11
PRATOSH: Who would change a raven for a dove?
LAKSHMANA: Who? raven for a dove, a dove
NARAYAN: Who? raven dove a dove
GANESH: Who? raven for a dove
DEEPAK: Who? raven for a dove?

He drinks from the potion again

PRATOSH: Not Helinya but Herminya I adore, I adore!

LAKSHMANA: Helinya! Herminya I adore
GANESH: Helinya! Herminya adore
DEEPAK: Ah, I adore!
NARAYAN: -dore

PRATOSH: Who would change an angel for a boar?

LAKSHMANA: an angel boar, a boar?
GANESH: Who would change? Angel for a boar, a boar?
D & N: Who? angel boar, a boar?

CHORUS + L: Flip, flop, flip, flop,

When you're in love it never stops,
Fast forward, then you're pulled in reverse
We tell you love just makes things worse;
Love, just, makes, things—

SUMANTHRA: I disagree! I've been married for 17 years!

GANESH: Note he didn't say 'happily' married...

PRATOSH: Hey! He's probably happy to be off his leash for once!

DEEPAK: Yeah—this could be a big night out, eh, Sumanthra!

NARAYAN: Maybe he'll live it up and get himself a mango lassi!

ALL FOUR: Oooooooooh! (Laughter)

SUMANTHRA: Love makes us stronger! Marriage is a sacred vow, a noble undertaking! It is a corner-
stone of our social fabric, and helps us redouble our commitments to— (The others have fallen
asleep)...Hey!

GANESH & PRATOSH: You see?

GANESH & PRATOSH:Take this boring, rambling fella!
CHORUS: He was normal once, I tell ya
CHORUS + L: Once was a free man, now so far from a he-man
Now his only pleasure left is desserts (they pat Sumanthra's stomach)
You see, love just makes things worse
Love just makes worse... (L: wor-)

LAKSHMANA: So before things get much hotter, before you have five daughters,
G & D: Fah... hotter Fah five daughters,
P & N: Fah... (P) hotter Fah daughters

LAKSHMANA: Give us your sacred vow

G, P, D: Give us your sacred vow, ah...
NARAYAN: Give us sacred vow, ah...

12
LAKSHMANA: Show us that you're smarter, don't get led to slaughter
GANESH: (...Ah....) don't get led to slaughter
PRATOSH: (...Ah....) smarter, ah.... slaugther
DEEPAK: (...Ah....) smarter, ah.... ah,
NARAYAN: (...Ah...) ah....

L & D: Like some hobbled, dumb, complacent cow

G & P: Ha, ah,
NARAYAN: ah ah

SUMANTHRA: Actually, cows aren't put to slaughter here—they're considered holy, and—

THE GANG: Ssshhhhh!

CHORUS but not L: Avoid love like it's a virus, ignore that pulse of love inside us,
CHORUS & Sumanthra: That throbbing pulse, inside us, teeming,
Fills our nights with endless dreaming

G, P, N: Dreams of everlasting love so true, so true

SUM, D: Dreams of everlasting love so true...

GANG: Yes Rama, we are telling you—

GANG: (Singly, w' Sumanthra & Rama): Love, love, love, love, love........
N D P R S&G

GANG: Ahhhhhh........!

They all look enamored until they get a severe look from Lakshmana

LAKSHMANA: LOVE?!...

CHORUS: Just makes things worse

LAKSHMANA: I tell you Rama
CHORUS: Love is just a curse;
LAKSMANA: Avoid the drama

CHORUS & L: Love just makes things worse!

DEEPAK: Things worse!
GANESH: Things Worse!

CHORUS & L: Love just makes things worse!

Scene IV: Janaka’s Courtyard/Throneroom, Beat 14 filled with nobles, princes, and servants. JANAKA is
seen looking around for SITA to enter; when she does come in, he is considerably surprised.

KING JANAKA: Let the bow ceremony begin!

A large group of MESSENGERS carry in a great bow decked with flower garlands between them, stumbling
under its weight (or for ease, the bow is already there). After each name is called, the suitors attempt to lift the
bow; all fail save RAMA. The crowd reacts accordingly.

STEWARD: First, King Janamajaya of Patalputra.

STEWARD: Princess Anandini of Hastinapura.
STEWARD: Princess Vijaya of Indraprastha.
STEWARD: Badraji of Baranasi.

13
STEWARD: Rama of Ayodhya.

KING JANAKA: No one has been able to lift this bow until today; Sita, you are free to choose whether you
will join this man in marriage.

SITA smiles and holds out a hand. RAMA takes it, and JANAKA holds their hands together, triumphant. The
crowd breaks into cheers, whoops, applause.

SUMANTHRA: Let us return to Ayodhya to celebrate the wedding at once!

Scene V: Wedding Dance / Song Beat 15

Beha Din Ayo (Possible Introductory Dandiya Ras stick dance)

RANDOM AYODHYANS: It's the wedding day! Did you hear? It's the wedding day! Rama and Sita are
getting married!

AYODHYANS: Beha Din Ayo Natchne par cha

Beha Din Ayo Natchne par cha
Beha Din Ayo Natchne par cha
Hami natchne mont par cha

(Repeat the above four lines; then one-verse instrumental dance break)

Beha Din Ayo!

Scene VI: Wives’ Quarters: Beat 16 QUEEN KAIKEYI and her son BHARATA are arranging flower gar-
lands. MANTHARA flies in with SUCHARA.

MANTHARA: What is this with the flowers, the music, all this celebration?

KAIKEYI: Are you not happy yourselves? Who could be a better heir to the throne than Rama? Now
we know the kingdom will stay in good hands.

MANTHARA: A queen of the kingdom, stringing flowers on a garland like a common servant?

SUCHARA: Do you think, now that Kausalya’s son shall be king, your husband will have any more time
for you? By crowning Rama, Dasaratha has revealed his true colors today.

MANTHARA: Like a snake coming out of hiding!

SUCHARA: Once Rama is king, he will surely have you disowned.

MANTHARA: Us—your loyal servants!—sold into slavery!

BOTH: And your precious son Bharata banished.

He Promised You Beat 17

BOTH: Bharata banished in exile

MANTHARA: And you no longer a queen
SUCHARA: Your robes all lying in tatters
BOTH: And all this might not have been, if...

KAIKEYI: If what?

14
SUCHARA: If you had remembered...

BOTH: My dear, it's queer, you don't remember

What he promised;
SUCHARA: let's keep him honest
BOTH: He gave his word he'd give you one small something, no--
MANTHARA: Two small somethings, dear
KAIKEYI: He told me I could have two boons this year.

SUCHARA: That's right, dear—two boons from a king!

MANTHARA: And they can be for ANYthing.

SUCHARA: Now a boon could bring you great treasures

MANTHARA: You could fill your room with exotic pleasures
SUCHARA: Have him build you a palace in lavish style:
BOTH: Or have Rama banished into exile

KAIKEYI: Exile...if Rama were out of the picture...

MANTHARA: Now you're getting it! Suchara, what might be a suitable place for his exile be, do you
think?
SUCHARA: Hmmmm....the Dandaka forest, maybe?
KAIKEYI: The Dandaka Forest! But that's the neutral ground between us and the rakshasa
demons! Rama could be killed!
MANTHARA: All the better!
SUCHARA: And you'll still have one more boon! Hmmm! Maybe something for the boy, here?
BHARATA: Mother, no, I don't—

SUCHARA hushes him, forcibly, hand over mouth

BOTH: Yes dear, it's clear you need a special something...

Your son should be king…

SUCHARA might animate BHARATA like a puppet to nod, smile, or otherwise show assent

MANTHARA: What do you say dear—will you become Queen Mother, your son king on the throne, or
be Kausayla's slave for life? (depending on show, musical pause for moment of decision on KAIKEYI's
face)

MANTHARA & SUCHARA: You'll go and tell him now, your son will be king!
KAIKEYI: I'll go and tell him now, my son will be king!

SUCHARA and MANTHARA exchange satisfied glance with each other; BHARATA looks downcast

Scene VII Throneroom, Beat 18 (? RAMA gives BHARATA his sandals; BHARATA puts the sandals on
the throne, bows and exits.) RAMA, LAKSHMANA and SITA take leave with goodbyes. KAUSALYA,
SUMANTHRA, VISWAMITHRA sing Na Jane NA JANE CHORUS joins halfway through

[Note: all “e's” are long a sounds, as in the word 'hey;' I's are pronounced as long ee's]

KAUSALYA: Na jane; Hami maya dine;

Tapai januhuncha tyespachadi; aichlai aouncha
VISWAMITHRA: Na jane; Hami ta somjine
Sapanama dekcha matra
SUMANTHRA: Kohille phere aoundicha; johille tapai hami chaincha, chaincha;

15
ALL THREE: Rama stay; we adore you please stay;
CHORUS: Oh Na Jane Oh Na Jane

3: If you leave we don't know how we'll ever find the light again
C: How we'll find light again

3: Rama stay, are there words we can say

C: Rama stay please stay

3: To keep you here, near, to our homes, where you'll always belong
C: here near to home if you must

3: If you must leave, then go; but return, before too long
C: leave then go

ALL: Oh Rama, na jane

KAUSALYA: Oh Rama, na jane

Exit, leaving faint lights on empty state with throne & sandals. Orchestral version of Na Jane

Scene VIII. Ravana's Small Council Beat 19

GENERAL PRABASTA: We have reports of three humans living in the Dandaka forest.

GENERAL YAMARAJ: They've violated the treaty! Next they'll be here in Lanka!

INDRAJIT: They should be hunted, then hanged!

VIBISHINA: Perhaps they are just passing through; we should find out why they are there before we act.

INDRAJIT: Weakness! We need to show our strength!

VIBISHINA: If we were to attack them, we could be risking another war. Many lives could be lost—including
rakshasa lives.

INDRAJIT: Enough. My father Ravana has charged me with keeping our lands safe. It's time to act. Sur-
panakha: you can change your shape at will. Deal with them, either in your human or demon form. Take a
squadron of rakshasa warriors and show them who rules these lands. INDRAJIT and the GENERALS exit

VIBISHINA: (to SURPANAKHA) This time use some restraint—please? VIBISHINA exits.

Scene IX: Dandaka Forest Beat 20 RAMA works in the garden. DEMON SURPANAKHA and the
demons gather in another part of the stage. DEMONS 1 and 2 sneak forth, see RAMA, then go back to report.

DEMON SURPANAKHA: What did you see?

DEMON 1: Just one human.

DEMON 3: Let's take him! Or does he look fierce? Warlike?

DEMON SURPANAKHA: Or divine? It might be best if I approach him alone. DEMON SURPANAKHA ducks
behind a tree.

DEMON 2: Here we go again.

SURPANAKHA enters now in human form, and strikes a few poses for the DEMONS

16
SURPANAKHA: How do I look?

DEMON 1: Ravishing.
DEMON 2: Riveting.
DEMON 3: Staggering.

SURPHANKHA: Excellent!

The DEMONS stay where they are; She enters in an exaggeratedly humble fashion, still sort of flaunting.

Beat 21

SURPANAKHA: What might a holy man like you be doing in this...terrible region of rakshasas?

RAMA: I am Rama; and what sort of woman might you be, here alone in the depths of the forest?

SURPANAKHA: They call me Surpanakha. I wish to be a saint and practice the austerities of the most
holy. You look like you could show me the way, help me...brush up on my technique. But one such as you
surely does not belong out here in the woods where no one but the gods and the birds can see you.

RAMA: Well, I—

SURPANAKHA: I could teach you a thing or two. Yes, I could find ways to make you a very attentive
disciple.

Marry Me Beat 22

SURPANAKHA: Marry me honey I'm all you want and need

Yes marry me honey I'll be your carriage and your steed
Marry me honey I'll make all your dreams come true
If you marry me I can guarantee you'll be mincemeat when I'm through

In the mornings, you'll cook my breakfast I take sausage, ham, and crepes
In the evenings wash my toenails, then it's time to peel my grapes
You'll play music at my bedside then wash my laundry clean
You'll be anything and everything this rakshasa's ever dreamed

Yes marry me honey you'll feel pounded, picked and peeled

All the other girls are false, but every part of me is real,
So marry me honey I'll make all your dreams come true
If you marry me I can guarantee you'll be exhausted when I'm through

With me you'll get the real thing won't need any other toys
I tell you true, when I'm through with you we'll have ( ) ten demon boys!
Do you want this? 'The night, the stars the soft moonlight and flowers?'
With me you'll get the bridal suite in Lanka's highest tower

Now some boys want a dollhouse, sweet, reserved and kind

I'm more like a windstorm tearin' through a laundry line
Do you want this? 'If you come with me, I'll be yours every day, oh Rama, it's true;'

...Pathetic.

With me you'll feel like a banana tree when a hurricane comes through

17
 Yes marry me honey I'll make all your dreams come true
You're the sand and I'm a tidal wave come crashin' through
Yes marry me honey think of everything we'd be
You'll feel throttled bound and pulverized
'Cause I cut my husbands down to size
With me you won't believe your eyes
So honey! Marry me!

Beat 23

RAMA: [laughing awkwardly] I am sorry if you got the wrong idea, but...I am a married man. LAKSH-
MANA enters But my brother, Lakshmana... (this last line said semi-jokingly, semi-seriously) ...He is yet
to be married at all.

LAKSHMANA and SURPANAKHA eye each other with raised eyebrows. Both turn back to RAMA, indig-
nant

SURPANAKHA: [to RAMA] (We might not have this line) He looks a little light in the saddle. But you,
Rama, have everything I—

SITA enters

SURPANAKHA: Oh, -This- is the vixen you're willing to forsake me for? She is nothing next to me, just
look at her. Pfthah. Now is your chance, Rama, to escape your doomed life alongside this...this common
parsnip.

RAMA: Leave us, rakshasa.

LAKSHMANA: Or forfeit your life.

SURPANAKHA: [to RAMA] If you won't marry me, I will kill and eat your beloved little flower right
here on your doorstep. DEMONS!

Beat 24

DEMONS come rushing in; fight scene, RAMA, SITA, and LAKSHMANA defeat the DEMONS and SUR-
PANAKHA; DEMONS and SURPANAKHA retreat(s)

Scene X: Beat 25 Passage outside Ravana’s Throne Room Enter DEMON SURPANAKHA

DEMON SURPHANAKHA: The pain! The rejection! The frustration! The anger! The—
OOOOOHHH!!! Now wait, Surpanakha, calm down. Let's make a plan to get back at this Rama. He has
a wife...if he lost her, he'd feel what I feel. I'll have my brother Ravana kidnap Sita, Sita will become Ra-
vana's wife...and then Rama will feel...the pain! The rejection! The frustration! The anger! The—
OOOOOHHH!!!

She exits

Scene X.i Ravana's throne room Beat 26 Enter RAKSHASAS

Rakshasa City

RAKSHASAS: In Rakshasa city,

We don't keep things so nice and pretty
Spies are whisked away without a sound
If you come to visit,

18
 Come prepared for trouble, is it
Wise to come so close to Demontown?

Enter DEMON TORMENTORS, VIBISHINA, then DEMON SURPANAKHA and INDRAJIT and at last
the TEN-HEADED RAVANA. DEMON SURPANAKHA bows before RAVANA.

Beat 27

RAVANA HEAD # 5: [commanding, and with impatience] Rise, Surpanakha.

DEMON SURPANAKHA: Brother? I was just...out for a stroll in the woods, and, well, I got to thinking.

HEAD # 4: Well, that is most unusual.

All heads laugh, after which all in the court laugh, save VIBISHINA; when RAVANA stops laughing the
court continues; RAVANA's heads shoot a glare in all directions and all the laughter stops immediately.

DEMON SURPANAKHA: Thinking about what you, my dearest brother, most need. Even though
you're the King of Lanka and all the worlds above and below, there's still one thing you don't have...

You Need a Wife

DEMON SURPANAKHA: My king, you need a companion,

You've been alone for all of your life.
My king, you need someone special
To share with you your joys and strife;
Someone to spend with you each day...and night.
My king, there's just one solution here,
Sir, you need a wife!

COURT: My king, you need a companion,

You've been alone for all of your life.
My king, you need someone special—
DEMON SUR: Sir, you need a wife,
RAVANA: A wife who could iron my purple gown...
COURT & DEMON SUR: Then, what better way, to while the day, then dining with your wife?
Strolling with your wife? Dancing with your wife?

DEMON SURPANAKHA: Or....

DEMON SURPANAKHA whispers something in HEAD NO. 10's ear; He passes it down the line till #7

HEAD NO. 7: I love playing chess!

COURT / DEMON SUR: With your wife!

RAVANA: With my wife!

COURT: It's time you stop being a bachelor,

RAVANA: It's time I stop being a bachelor,
DEMON SUR: It's time you got a honey [[a few others sing this line with her]]

COURT / DEMON SUR: And start getting on with your life

RAVANA: And start getting on with my life

COURT: Good sir, you need a wife!

RAVANA: It's time I got a wife!

19
 Beat 28

RAVANA Head #4: But who?

DEMON SURPANAKHA: I’ve got just the one! Her face is more beautiful than the full moon, she is deli-
cate and more graceful than any apsara. Any man who has her as a wife will surely be the happiest in the
world, and...don’t you think you deserve that?

Head NO. 4: Mmmmmm! Does she have...large hips?

HEAD NO. 2: Full lips?

HEAD NO. 8: [dreamily] Ah, romance...it's been a while, hasn’t it?

HEAD NO. 9: Too long, too long...

HEAD NO. 3: This one sounds...Ah! Dreamy.

HEAD NO. 1: Hey, Number 3, let’s not forget you’re the one who ruined things last time; that gorgeous ap-
sara was almost ours...

HEAD NO. 3 sticks out his tongue at NO. 1. Head NO. 2 recoils

HEAD NO. 6: Are you kidding? What girl doesn’t want a man like me, times ten? That apsara deserved what
she got.

HEAD NO. 4: She clearly wasn’t looking at me. I’m the most handsome.

HEAD NO. 9: You are not, we all know they always go for Number Five.

HEAD NO. 7: I’ve got the best hair.

HEAD NO. 10: I always get left out here at the end.

HEAD NO. 5: Quiet! Now. Surpanakha, where did you say this magnificent specimen is to be found?

DEMON SURPANAKHA: The Dandaka Forest.

HEAD NO. 5: She might be a bit...intimidated by us in our full glory at first; I'll go in one-headed form.

Scene XI: The Forest Hut. Beat 29 SITA is tending to the garden and humming to herself until RAVANA
(single-headed #5) appears at the gate

RAVANA: Greetings, dear child; whatever are you doing in this dark, lonely place? You ought to be in a
palace, surrounded by perfumed gardens. I am Ravana, king of the rakshasas, dreaded by the gods and worlds
alike. I can stop the sun from rising and the moon from setting, so strong am I. Leave this miserable life, come
to my capital city of Lanka and be my queen. [SITA recoils.] You will taste endless pleasures and will soon for-
get about Rama, your silly, simple, mortal.

SITA: I have given my word to Rama, and with him I shall stay.

RAVANA: Nothing living, not even the sun itself, can refuse my will.

RAVANA grabs SITA, then rushes her away. JATAYU the eagle sweeps in, but RAVANA cuts him down and he
falls to the floor. RAVANA carries or leads SITA offstage

20
Scene XIB: Lanka: Beat 30 RAVANA enters with SITA and lets her down. VIBISHINA is watching, un-
seen

RAVANA: See, the beauty I promised you. A garden paradise fit for a queen!

SITA scowls and turns away.

RAVANA: I hear that the best ladies do like to play hard to get. Marry me, and this whole kingdom could
be yours, along with all the finery and jewels you desire. You will be queen of this castle, two million rak-
shasas, and the hundreds of women in my harem. (Change of mood, as she is not responding) You will
bow before my might.

SITA: I would rather die.

He pushes her down

RAVANA: If you do not marry me within twelve months, I will have my cooks make you into my supper.

LAKSHMANA AND RAMA enter discover JATAYU, who is lying on the ground, wounded. (This happens in an-
other part of the stage, SITA staying on)

JATAYU: I tried to stop him, Rama, but I was too weak.

RAMA: Who?

JATAYU: Ravana, the king of the Rakshasas. He has taken Sita to the demon city on the island of Lanka.

JATAYU perishes; RAMA and LAKSHMANA are seen in urgent dialogue sans voce in one part of the stage

We Will Go On Beat 31

Sita: Could this place be my final tomb?

My last surroundings before my doom?
It all seems so dark and grey

VIBISHINA comes forth to SITA, who is hunched over

VIBISHINA: Oh, daughter, you're hurt...don't be afraid

I will try to protect you
Please stay strong, it may not be long
Before you're free; before you're free;

Scene focus switches to RAMA and LAKSHAMANA who are still on the other part of the stage

LAKSHMANA: Rama boy, we will scour the world to find her

We'll go, slay the foe, this foul demon will be mine!

RAMA: Her path we don't know; we'll pray before we go,

Come, kneel down;
LAKSHMANA: No! We should leave now!

(These next three lines of lyrics sung at the same time)

LAKSHMANA: Rama, go! We should go, every minute she gets farther away,
And you sit there, you waste time to pray!
She needs our aid, and you need to find a better way

21
RAMA: My God...I ask of you today,
To help us find our way
She needs our aid, and you need to find a better way

LAKSHMANA storms off, though not far; VIBISHINA has moved away from SITA, but is still onstage; SITA is
now relatively alone

RAMA: I know you're gone but I'll press on despite the dangers

RAVANA re-enters

RAMA: I will find you wherever you are;

SITA: You will find me, wherever you are;
RAVANA: My wife!

RAMA: Oh, we must stay strong, let go of fears we've brought along,
RAVANA: It won't be long before you're mine, it's all but certain

RAMA & SITA: Make sure our courage and faith does not die
LAKSHMANA: We must go or it's sure she will die, Oh Rama boy,
RAVANA: You will marry me or die!

RAMA & SITA: And we will go on

LAKSHMANA: I say that we go on

VIBISHINA: You must hold on

RAVANA: She'll have my sons, unless

R, L, S: We'll find the strength to go on

VIBISHINA: You'll find the strength to go on
RAVANA: She finds the strength to go on

[Here on all five are singing in unison or harmony]

For the Thursday performance, Lakshmana sings Rama's part from here to end.

RAMA: Now we move on, now today

There'll be enemies who stand in our way, come what may,
And I won't ever fail you,
I will keep pressing on, until justice is done,
Until it's done, we must go on
We must go on

LAKSHMANA: Let's move on;

There'll be enemies who stand in our way
And I won't ever fail you,
I will be strong, for I'm sure
It won't be long, till we go on;
We must go on

SITA: To go on, today,

I'll stand firm, come what may;
I'll show them I can stay
Strong now, I'll keep my vow, I'll go on...
we must go on;
We must go on

22
VIBISHINA: She should be set free
It's the right way
I no longer can say
I trust him, he's lost his way, if he's wrong,
If he's wrong, how can I go on?
How can I go on?

RAVANA: Sita, you'll marry me, or you won't see

The light of day
Your strength will fail you,
You'll soon see, you'll marry me, now I've won,
You can't go on
She can't go on

ACT II
(Entr’acte)

Scene XII Kiskinda Forest Beat 32 RAMA and LAKSHMANA on their journey; they stop to take a rest.

RAMA: We'll rest here.

LAKSHMANA: Where are we?

RAMA: The Kiskinda forest, near the edge of the great sea.

LAKSHMANA: We heard stories of the Kiskinda Forest when we were kids; do you think they're true?

RAMA: Do -you- believe in a city of monkeys?

Enter HANUMAN

HANUMAN: Travelers from afar! Who graces our forest, with your silks bright as the sky, your dancing
sticks, and these...second paws you both have? (Hanuman takes one of their shoes off and examines it.
LAKSHMANA draws his sword; RAMA holds him back)

RAMA: I am Rama, and this is my brother Lakshmana. We are looking for Sita—

HANUMAN: Sita! Si.....ta! Like the sea, followed by the sound of a wave! I am Hanuman, son of the
wind. I rule this land from here to the shores of the great ocean. My friends and I bid you welcome.

LAKSHMANA: Friends?

HANUMAN: Oh, they can be shy until they know you're friendly. Once they were even shy meeting me.

HANUMAN sings; A group of MONKEYS joins mid-song

I Am Hanuman Beat 33

HANUMAN: I once was lonely, living by myself with only

Trees, rocks, and peacocks for friends; but then
Somebody found me, now my friends are all around me,
Monkeys from their ears to their ends
MONKEYS: Ears to ends! Ears to ends!

23
HAN/MONKS: Mornings are the time we dance
Afternoons set aside for napping
Evenings are for games of chance, and songs...so just
Try on a special pair of pants (The Monkeys give Rama pants with the tail-hole cut out)
With a tail you'd look quite strapping
When you dance with monkeys friends you're guaranteed a good time

MONKEY Dance Break 10 bars

HAN/MONKS: We're pleased to meet you,

Come and let the monkeys greet you,
HANUMAN: I am Hanuman, am I;
HAN/MONKS: So just
Come see our city,
Only thing that is a pity
MONKEYS: You don't have tails on your ends
HAN/MONKS: But we're still pleased to meet you
This is how we make new friends...make new friends!

HANUMAN: I am at your service. How might we assist you?

RAMA: Ravana, the ten-headed demon of the city of Lanka, has kidnapped my wife Sita.

MONKEYS chatter in fear, saying “Ravana! Ravana!”

HANUMAN: Princes, you will come with me to the City of Monkeys. There we will gather forces to help
you rescue Sita.

LAKSHMANA: ...-City- of monkeys?

Scene XIII: Kiskinda City Beat 34 HANUMAN enters with RAMA and LAKSHMANA.

Bodol Ysili Ma

HANUMAN: O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o!
MONKEYS: Hey-o, hey-o!
HANUMAN: O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o!
MONKEYS: Hey-o din ma!

HANUMAN & SOME MONKEYS: O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o!

MONKEYS: Hey-o, hey-o!
HANUMAN & SOME MONKEYS: O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o!
MONKEYS: Hey-o din ma!
MONKEYS? Hey-o din ma!

MONKEY GROUP 2: Hami natchne natchne montparcha

Ysili manche niskincha
Hami natchne natchne montparcha
Bodol haru ysili ma
Bodol haru ysili ma

MONKEY GROUP 3: Muskoune sdye din ma

Bodol bodol ysili cha
A-a, Muskoune sdye din a recha
Bodol haru ysili ma, recha,
Bodol haru ysili ma

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All Singing Together (MONKEYS GROUPS 2 and 3 sing the same lyrics as above; end a bit different)

HANUMAN & MONKEY GROUP 1: O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o, hey-o, hey-o,

O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o, hey-o din ma!
O-le-o-le-o-le-o-le-o, hey-o, hey-o,
Bodol ysili ma
Bodol ysili ma!

HANUMAN: It will take us weeks to reach the ocean, say nothing of crossing it. I can't take anyone else, but I
have the power to jump the wide ocean to Lanka. I will go there and let Sita know that we are coming for her.

Scene XIV: Asoka Vana in Lanka. Beat 35 Lights come up on SITA sitting beneath a tree in RAVANA’S
pleasure garden. RAVANA watches her with VIBISHINA.

RAVANA HEAD NO. 5: I've tried everything,

HEAD NO. 4: And look at her.
HEAD NO. 8: She won’t budge!
HEAD NO. 3: Even though I have ten heads!
HEAD NO. 7: And this glorious kingdom.
HEAD NO. 9: Did you see the necklace I gave her yesterday,
HEAD NO. 2: How it shone!
HEAD NO 1: And she threw it away, like everything else I have offered her,
HEAD NO 10: Right onto the dirty ground like it was a rag.
ALL: What more could she want?

VIBISHINA: You're holding her prisoner here; did you expect her to shine brightly, to smile? A tiger you
see free in the forest is beautiful, magical; put it in a cage and it can never be its true, fullest self—it loses
its spirit. Neither animals, nor people are meant to be slaves. If she won't have you as a husband, neither
of you will be happy. I advise that you let her go.

A deafening silence and threatening stare from all ten heads

VIBISHINA: OR, you could try something else to win her over. Up until now, perhaps you have been a
little rough with her. If she doesn’t want riches, you could...well, you could...try a little tenderness.

ALL HEADS: Tenderness?

RAVANA HEAD NO. 6: But women like their men strong. Tender is weak.

VIBISHINA: She spat in your face the last time you threatened her. Show her you’re not such a bad sort
after all. You could try some poetry, songs, dance...

RAVANA HEAD NO. 6: [grumbling] Fine. Get you gone, I need a word with her alone.

VIBISHINA: But remember, Sire: tenderness. [Exit.]

RAVANA HEAD NO. 6: Hmmmm...tenderness...

He practices standing, gesturing, and walking with what he thinks tenderness might be. We see him (them)
writing down a poem for 5-10 seconds. As he says the next line, the various heads strike what they believe
are tender poses.

RAVANA HEAD NO. 6: My queen, I wrote you a poem. You might find it...tender and kind. Ahem!

The various heads clear their throats in distracting and sometimes disgusting ways

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HEADS 2, 4, 6, and 8: 'The bodies of their slain all lay bleached in the sun.
HEADS 3, 5, 7, and 9: Through battles and darkness and pain I had won
HEADS 1 and 10: All their treasures and their lands!
ALL HEADS: Their cries were in vain;
Now entombed in the sands lie their grisly remains...
HEAD NO: 8: Their grisly remains.'

RAVANA HEAD NO 9: (to another head) Maybe she needs a song.

HEAD NO 2: Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi.
HEAD NO: 8 MI!!

My Queen Beat 36

HEAD #6: My queen, I see you've been cryin',

You've been alone a while, I know
HEAD #4: My queen, let me be your lion,
And we'll have some pride to show
HEAD #8: I've got ten heads while he has one
ALL HEADS: ...you see...
What better way, to spend the day,
Than hanging out with me? “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!”
1 9 10 2 3 8 4567 All

Short Ravana dance interlude

HEAD #6: Now you see dear, you could do no better at all,
Then if you married, me;
ALL HEADS: yes, to marry me;
Think how happy you'd be...if you mar— (All heads stop to look at NO. 8)
HEAD NO#8: aaaaaaaaaaaaaar......ried me!

VARIOUS HEADS: Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!

5 6 37 19 28 10 4

RAVANA HEAD NO. 6: You’re down to your last week. You have two choices: to marry me, or die in my
supper pot! If you choose me, you will come with this rope tied around your neck, showing everyone your
obedience to me. Rakshashas!

Enter DEMON TORMENTORS. Beat 37

HEAD NO.6: Threaten, cajole, and terrify her! I hear that’s the best way to tame a wild elephant.

RAVANA exits

TORMENTOR NO. 1: Oh, Rama, Rama!

TORMENTOR NO. 2: Poor perfect Sita.
TORMENTOR NO. 3: Think your husband is coming to rescue you?

Your Time Will Soon Be Done

TORMENTORS: He won't come, yes weep your pretty tears my dear

Your time will soon be done, my dear, you'll be mincemeat in a year.
La, la la, yes go ahead and cry—
La, la la, you're here until you die!

26
 He won't come, he barely can remember you.
ONE: “Oh, here I am, dear, only—wait! I don't know your name;”
ALL: La, la la, yes pray to God above,
La, la la, he's found another love.

And if he comes, there are traps, yes all around they lie,
If he should try to enter here, your love would surely die!
SOME: La, la la, your love would surely die!

Exit DEMON TORMENTORS

Should I Go? (Sita) Beat 38

The night, the stars the soft moonlight, and flowers

Give me sweet company to... (breaks down; looks at rope; grapples with her thoughts)

It's all falling apart; the end; or a new start

I could marry him, and live today, but sacrifice my heart
Or can I hold on somehow; I gave Rama my vow
Maybe I can find a way; no one's coming now

It's time now, I see, no one's coming for me

No point in this waiting, I'll never be free
I'll die if I stay; there's no other way
I'm done, no debating, it ends here with me;
Should I go; should I go?

JANAKA: Please don't go...

JANAKA is a vision of her father, not actually there in Lanka

SITA: Father?

JANAKA: Sita, my daughter, dear, a new light soon will find you
Sita, please don't fear, don't let this darkness blind you
Hold on another day; don't throw your life away
Your story's yours to write; don't go to him tonight; please don't go; please don't go;

SITA: Should I go?

Become his bride, how much worse can it be?
My pride is what's preventing me
From doing what I must, yes now I know

How can I choose? What more can I lose?

It's death if I stay here, or be his to abuse?
It's time now, I know; to live, I must go

SITA: I'll go... Should I go? I'll go

JANAKA: Please don't go; I love you so; Please don't go

SITA: I can't go on another day; [is it time to go away?] {This last half might not be sung}
JANAKA: Hold on another day; don't throw your life away;

SITA: Should I go? Should I go?

JANAKA: Please don't go;

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SITA: Father? (the punctuation on this is a mix between ? and !)
JANAKA: Sita, stay........
HANUMAN: stay........

Beat 39 JANAKA fades into distance; SITA has rope in hand; we see her at or near a decision-point. HANU-
MAN has entered as Janaka's voice has faded. He is hurried and has tension in his voice and manner

Right Now

HANUMAN: Right now Rama's on his way

The end's in sight now, just a few more days
You've got to fight now, please find a way
To be strong now it won't be long now

There's nothing more to say now

Sita they're on their way now
You've got to stay now
Please stay...

Enter the entire fleet of RAKSHASAS and TORMENTORS (save RAVANA and VIBISHINA) who fight and
chase HANUMAN; HANUMAN escapes.

Scene XV: Edge of the ocean. Beat 40 LAKSHMANA, RAMA, and the MONKEYS are milling about.
Enter HANUMAN

MONKEY: Hanuman has returned!

HANUMAN: Sita is still alive. Ravana has given her two weeks to either marry him or die.

LAKSHMANA: How will we get to Lanka in time, or even get there at all? Sure, you can jump over the
ocean, but what about us and the other monkeys?

HANUMAN: We'll build a bridge.

LAKSHMANA: A bridge across this ocean? Impossible! How could we do that?

Bridge Song

The MONKEYS listen to HANUMAN during the first verse, then build and sing away for the rest of the
song until they put their last stones down with 'the gap is filled.' They then proudly display their work.

HANUMAN: Oh yes, you take a rock and put it on the end

And then you make sure that it has a friend
The third goes right next to the other ones,
Now grab a rock, and take a walk, that's how we'll get it done

HAN & MONKS:Oh yes, you take a rock and put it on the end,
And then you make sure that it has a friend
The third goes right next to the other ones,
And that is how our bridge gets done!

MONKEYS sing verse while HANUMAN and OTHERS counter

MONKEYS: Oh yes, you take a rock and put it

HANUMAN/OTHERS: Put your backs into it, one by one let's do it,

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MONKEYS: On the end
HANUMAN/O: That's the stuff my boys, I always knew it,

MONKEYS: And then you make sure that it ha—

Put those rocks in motion, we can cross the ocean,

HANUMAN (solo): Where we'll fight for Rama's heart devotion,

MONKEYS: The last goes here and now the gap is filled;
HANUMAN/O: Now the end is nigh, put the last one by, the gap is filled;

MONKEYS: And that is how our bridge got built

HANUMAN/O: Show them you're strong and spunky

MONKEYS: That is how our bridge got built

HAN/LAKSH: Are you men or are you monkeys?

ALL: That is how our bridge got built!

Scene XVI: Ravana’s Council Beat 41

RAVANA: Rama and his monkey army are encamped outside our walls. They have sent a messenger
who has this demand from Rama: that we release Sita, or they will take Lanka by force. What advice
have you?

GENERAL PRABASTA: We have the numbers to fight with. You have nothing to fear from a couple of
princes and a band of monkeys.

GENERAL YAMARAJ : Let us kill Rama, Lakshmana, that wretched Hanuman, and the entire mon-
key army this very day! We will hunt them down, ferret them out, and end this—without mercy.

The other GENERALS present leap to their feet, brandishing their weapons and shouting their approval.

VIBISHINA: Wise men say that one should resort to war only after all other options have failed. And in
this case, do not underestimate the enemy. I fear we don’t yet know what forces we would be facing. My
king, you would be much better off to renounce this obsession with Sita, and release her immediately.

INDRAJIT: Treason!

RAVANA: My brother: I can live with poison and lies, but I can not live with a man who passes himself
off as our ally but insults and defies me. If anyone else had spoken to me like this, Vibishina, were he not
family, he would be dead!

VIBISHINA: [rising] My brother and king, I only dare speak my heart because I do not want to see you
consumed by the arrows and flames of your own folly. This is a battle you cannot win.

RAVANA: You have lost your place on this council; another act of cowardice and you will be banished
from Lanka, or lose your life. Gentleman: to war!

RAVANA and the other RAKSHASAS exit, leaving VIBISHINA alone. Brief instrumental into

Should I Go? Beat 42

Vibishina: I cannot believe that he would go as far as this, now,

Here he's risking war all for a girl, a girl!
Before I always thought that he could change, and for the better,

29
 Now I'm not so sure I still believe, he will...

If so… perhaps I need to go

I can't stand by and see,
His descent into madness,
His dark malignancy;

Or should I stay? Help him find a new way?

If I leave is that weak, sick, and cowardly—
An excuse not to fight?
Or should I go? Make my brother my foe?
Is this the way to fight for good?
Is this the way to fight for good?

Has he gone so far that he must fall?

Can evil ever be redeemed at all?
I know he can change; he was once my friend—
To kill him won't bring evil's end.

And yet if he goes on many more may die;

An innocent girl needs help, I must try—
Come back with force, and demand she be freed;
To stand without fear is the need,
And at last, to redeem his dark wrath, and his greed!

It's clear now, my path I know…

It's a seamless transition into Scene XVII: The camp outside Lanka's walls, Beat 43 where we see
RAMA, LAKSHMANA, HANUMAN, and the MONKEYS. When VIBISHINA arrives, LAKSHMANA leaps
up to attack, but RAMA holds him back.

VIBISHINA: I'll fight your wars; I'll stand with you

And I won't ever fail you
I must fight, for the right,
This I know; this I know;
It's why I had to go.
To go!

VIBISHINA: I will help you in every way I can to see Sita freed, and Ravana dethroned.

LAKSHMANA: Don't trust him! He's just another filthy, backstabbing, lying rakshasa—they're all the same!

RAMA: [to LAKSHMANA] A righteous man must always protect a fugitive from the enemy, even at the risk of
his own life. [To VIBISHINA] Help us then, to show Ravana the error of his ways. When we are done,
we will need you to help restore order to the rakshasa people.

VIBISHINA wanders off out of earshot

LAKSHMANA: 'Show him the error of his ways?' I say we attack now. There is nothing to be gained by
waiting any longer.

RAMA: We sent a messenger to Ravana—we must give them time to decide the right course.

LAKSHMANA: Or give him time to launch an attack on us, vulnerable here on the seashore! Rama,
-rakshasas will never change-! Fighting is the only thing they understand.

30
RAMA: Ravana's brother Vibishina was able to find the right course, without fighting.

LAKSHMANA: Then he's one in a million—IF he doesn't betray us. Look—if we don't fight Ravana now,
how many other lands will he poison, how many other peoples will he destroy? How many other girls will he
kidnap?

RAMA: I'm not just thinking of myself—all these monkeys' lives depend on what we decide.

LAKSHMANA: These monkeys' lives will be lost if we -don't- decide! We're sitting here like archery targets
for Lanka's sharpshooters. -We- -need- -to- -attack!

RAMA: I...I don't know.

LAKSHMANA: ARRRRRGGGGH! These monkeys are here for battle. If you won't lead them, I will.
Yah heh, ya-da heh, ya, heh, yada heh, ya, hey

If we can swing it, LAKSHMANA sounds a horn

RAMA AND LAKSHMANA part; LAKSHMANA stalks off angrily, but not fully offstage. RAMA looks trou-
bled, then kneels down to pray. LAKSHMANA turns back

LAKSHMANA: Prayer again! When has that ever helped us?

War Song Beat 44

LAKSHMANA: He's brave but his mind has been clouded by Zen
The hour has arrived to turn these young boys into men
To fight, face the foe; to hear death knock at your door
To feel alive you must die in war
To his god let him kneel down and pray
My god says let them fall where they may;

LAKSHMANA: Right now ev'ry mother's son

Has got to fight now till the battle's won
The end's in sight now; then in the morning sun
You'll have to fight now
Boys, I tell you right now
MONKEYS: We'll fight till it's done, until the battle we have won
MONKEYS 2: the battle we have won

LAKSHMANA: We'll even up the score now

Show them what we're fighting for now
Boys we go to war now; to war
MONKEYS: We'll fight till it's done, until the battle we have won!

Enter RAKSHASAS (they are in another part of the world, not seeable by the MONKEYS) Beat 45

RAKSHASAS: Now put the braces on the walls!

Make some noise, dig they pits and then they'll fall
We'll steal their toys, release the boulders at my call!
Let them roll, and we'll terrorize the foe,
They won't know what to do, for their lives will be through,
We'll hit them hard!
Kick their tails out of the yard!
Sharpen sword and spear, their end is near,
We'll fight till it's done, until the battle we have won!

31
LAKSHMANA: Right now! Give them something to fear, until we've won; we've won!
MONKEYS: until the battle we have won!
RAKSHASAS: The battle we have won!

Beat 46 RAKSHASAS spring offstage, MONKEYS file out except for one. RAMA has finished his prayer,
notices the MONKEY, and walks up to him.

RAMA: Oh soldier, what's wrong?

Don't be afraid
When we march into battle
It's hard now I see
Just stick close to me
We'll make it through
I promise you
It's true MONKEY exits

RAMA: He's brave but this war is beyond his ken

Why must the young fight the wars made my older men?
He'll fight, face the foe, but he knows not what is in store
How can I live if he dies in war?
I don't know if this war is right

RAMA: My God, I ask of you tonight;

Why have these wars, why must evil clash with the light?
Is it just to fight darkness with the sword, can killing be right?
My God, I ask you this tonight
LAKSHMANA: Ya heh, ya da heh, ya, heh, ya da heh, ya, heh

RAMA: My God, for twenty years I've prayed your name

But all your answers come back as questions, like this is some game
These rakshashas we'll be fighting,
They didn't start this, they're not to blame;
Inside, aren't we all the same?

LAKSHMANA: Yah heh, ya-da heh, ya, heh, yada heh, ya, hey

(Instrumental, during which RAMA shows that he is in inner turmoil)

RAMA: Is it just to fight darkness with the sword, can killing be right?
My God, I ask you this tonight

LAKSHMANA: Yah heh, ya-da heh, ya, heh, yada heh, ya, heh,
RAMA: Should we fight? Is it right;

LAKSHMANA: Rama, I need you here to- day!

RAMA: How will I know the right way?

RAMA: (Resumes kneeling) Show me the way

LAKSHMANA: He's talking to himself

RAMA: My path is clear

LAKSHMANA: Churning in his doubts

RAMA: I know now

32
LAKSHMANA: I fear he won't face me now (He turns away, distraught)
RAMA: We cannot fear To face the foe, this I know now

LAKSHAMANA: I love him so

RAMA: We must go

There may be a musical pause as RAMA walks over to LAKSHMANA and puts a hand on his shoulder

LAKSHMANA: I'll fight your wars

RAMA: You're not my foe;

RAMA: I swear, we'll protect the weak and be strong,

LAKSHMANA: To go to war, here now, is not wrong

RAMA: If we must die in war, we'll go,but return before too long
LAKSHMANA: Rama, we'll go

RAMA: Lakshmana jane

LAKSHMANA: Oh Rama, jane

Scene XVIII: Lanka battlefield. Beat 47 We see the MONKEY ARMY approaching from one side, the
RAKSHASA ARMY from the other. The sides clash, until all falls silent. RAMA has arrived. Both sides car-
ry their dead and wounded offstage, as Rama looks around for the MONKEY SOLDIER who he comforted
earlier. RAMA finds the MONKEY SOLDIER'S unmoving body and cradles it, showing his sorrow. Two
other SOLDIERS come and remove the MONKEY SOLDIER

Beat 48

RAMA: RAVANA!!! RAVANA enters

RAVANA: No longer hiding behind your monkey soldiers?

RAMA: I give you one final chance to save yourself. Release Sita, end your wars, and let the people and
the rakshasas live in peace.

RAVANA: (As crippling a taunt as we can come up with)

They fight. RAVANA is slain. A gasp goes up from the defeated RAKSHASAS, who drop their weapons and
stare as VIBISHINA steps carefully to his side and kneels down to shut his eyes.

RAMA: [gently, speaking of Ravana] Honor and cherish him that his spirit may rest well.

Beat 49 VIBISHINA steps forward.

RAMA: Noble rakshasas, you have been led astray by Ravana's greed and vice. Vibishina shall be your
new king, and Lanka again will prosper.

The RAKSHASAS bow low. Then, a murmur rises from those assembled, and again the RAKSHASA army
splits like the Red Sea; SITA comes flying through and across stage, into RAMA’S arms. All cheer.

MONKEY MESSENGER: Rama, we have a message from Bharata in Ayodhya. He has renounced his
throne, and they all want you to return to be king.

SITA: Rama?

33
Finale

RAMA: I just wanted quiet

A small hut with a river by it
To pass my days there in peace;

Now I see there's a world here that longs to be free

(to Lakshmana) Rule with me
LAKSHMANA: (And) I won't ever fail you
ALL: Now, until peace is won, there's work to be done,
Work to be done
Until peace is won
Until peace is won

[CURTAIN]

Beat 50 Curtain Call

34