Summary:
Ravana in ‘Udbhavam’ (short form in Kathakali parlance for the episode Ravanodbhavam, penned by Kallekkulangara Raghava Pisharoty) thus brings to light milestones in the making of the mighty King Ravana. It is in this context that the portrayal of Ravana’s penance by a young artiste like Arjun Subrahmanyan is to be evaluated. Undaunted, Ravana then makes up his mind to fight it all alone and bring to his clan enviable glory. I did not beg for them; I earned them through my incomparable valour, evident even in the penance I undertook to propitiate him,” says Ravana during his soliloquy. Then I proceeded to Gokarnam, along with my younger brothers Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana to undertake the most arduous penance to acquire unparalleled strength through the blessings of Brahma,” continues Ravana..