page_title: Ravana
section_title: Priestly ministers
hierarchical_section_title: Ravana / Depiction in the Ramayana / Priestly ministers
caption_attribution_description: English: Guru Nātyāchārya Vidūshakaratnam Padma Shri Mâni Mâdhava Châkyâr in one of his most celebrated roles, as Ravana in Kutiyattam at the age of 88. It was one of his last public performances. Source:From authors private collection Date:Feb. 1987 Location:Kalikkotta palace, Thrippunithura, Kerala. Español: Nātyāchārya Vidūshakaratnam Padma Shri Mâni Mâdhava Châkyâr como Ravana en el desempeño de Kutiyattam a los 89 años Français&#160;: Mâni Mâdhava Châkyâr dans un de ses rôles les plus célébres, Ravana, à Tripunithura. C'était l'une de ses dernières exécutions de Koodiyattam à l'âge de 89 ans. Deutsch: Mâni Mâdhava Châkyâr als Ravana in einer Kutiyattamaufführung हिन्दी: भारतीय नाट्य की एकमात्र जीवित परंपरा है (संस्कृत) कुटीयट्टम (Kutiyattam) , जो कि केरल में संरक्षित है. भासा के नाटक अभिषेक नाटक में रावन की भूमिका में गुरु नाट्याचार्य hi:मणि माधव चकयार Italiano: Nātyāchārya it:Māni Mādhava Chākyār, famoso artista e studioso del teatro sanscrito, nel dramma Abhiṣeka Nataka മലയാളം: മാണി മാധവ ചാക്യാര്‍ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും പ്രശസ്തമായ രാവണന്‍ എന്ന കഥാപാത്രത്തെ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. 89-ആമത്തെ വയസ്സില്‍ തൃപ്പൂണിത്തറയില്‍ ആയിരുന്നു ഇത്. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ അവസാനത്തെ കൂടിയാട്ടം അവതരണങ്ങളില്‍ ഒന്നായിരുന്നു ഇത് தமிழ்: நாட்டியாசிரியர் மாணி மாதவ சாக்கியாரின் இராமாயணம் நாடகத்தில் இராவணன் வேடம் கொண்டு, தமது 89ஆம் அகவையில் (வயதில்), திருபுனித்துரையில் கூடியாட்டம் நாடகம் ஆடுகிறார்.
context_page_description: Ravana is described as the demon king of Lanka in the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana and also in other ancient Hindu texts.
  Ravana is widely considered to be a symbol of evil. While in Sri Lankan mythology, he is considered as a great ruler. Ravana also had many qualities that made him a learned scholar. He was well-versed in the six shastras and the four Vedas.
  In the Ramayana, Ravana abducts Rama's wife Sita and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her as a prisoner in Ashok Vatika. Furthermore in Ramayana, it is stated that during this time, he expressed desire to marry her. Later, Rama, with support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of vanars, attacked to Lanka, killed King Ravana, and rescued his beloved wife Sita.
  Ravana is considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are seen associated with Shiva at some places. He also appears in the Buddhist Mahayana text Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, in Buddhist Ramayanas and Jatakas, as well as in Jain Ramayanas. In some scriptures, he is depicted as one of Vishnu’s cursed doorkeepers.
context_section_description: Ravana is said in some version to have had Shukracharya, the priest of the Asuras, as his minister, and in some versions Brihaspati, the priest of the Devas.
  One of the most original, which is not found in earlier manuscripts, tells how Ravana orders his court priest Brhaspati (all the gods being his slaves) to read the Chandi stava (mantras of Chandi), that is, the Devi Mahatmya, in order to stave off defeat if he can recite it. According to the Krttivasa text, Ravana arranged for a peaceful yajna (sacrifice) and to start the recitation of Chandi, Brihaspati was invited. Accordingly, Brihaspati recited the same correctly.
caption: Ravana in Sanskrit drama of Kerala, India- Kutiyattam. Artist: Guru Nātyāchārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār.[26]
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