Sulochana (Ramayana)

Ravana's virtuous daughter-in-law Sulochana receives the head of her husband Indrajit, who has been killed by Lakshmana (bazaar art, 1910's)

Sulochana was the daughter of the King of the Serpents Shesha Naga, who is mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana. She was married to Indrajit (Meghanath) who was the son of demon king Ravana, who defeated Indra, hence received his title.

In the great ballad Meghnad Bodh Kavya, Prameela is said to be Indrajit's wife. So, it can reasonably be assumed that Sulochana was also known as Prameela.

Sulochana was very brave and exhibited this virtue when the Indrajit, her husband was going in war with Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana, she supported her husband by not crying and never stopped or requested to not to got in war.

Though it is neither written in Valmiki Ramayana or Tulasi Ramayana (written in the 15th century A.D) i.e. Sri Ramacharit Manas whereas it is mentioned Telugu version of Ramayana (written in the 14th century A.D) by Gona Budda Reddy and a later Ananda Ramayana, some scholars say that after the death of Indrajit did Sati with her husband's funeral pyre, while doing so she consoled her children saying they will be safe in the hands of Vibhishana, thus predicting the death of Ravana.[1][2]

In popular culture

Her story has been the base of many films, including Sati Sulochana (1921) directed by G.V. Sane. a silent film, followed by Sati Sulochana, the 1934 Kannada language film was the first Kannada language talkie film.,[3][4][5] also Sati Sulochana (1961) in Telugu starring N. T. Rama Rao.[6]

"The Ballad of Sulochana" is a favourite ballad, of Marathi women, sung in most families.[7] Noted Tamil scholar, S. K. Ramarajan wrote a noted epyllion, "Meganadham", the tragedy of Indrajit, known for its characterisation of Indrajit's wife Sulochana.[8]

References

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
  1. ↑ Sharma, Kala Radhakrishna (1973). The Ramayana in Telugu and Tamil: a comparative study. Lakshminarayana Granthamala. pp. 113–114. The episode of Sulochana
  2. ↑ Pollet, Gilbert (1995). Indian epic values: Rāmāyana and its impact. Peeters Publishers. p. 62. ISBN 90-6831-701-6.
  3. ↑ Sati Sulochana (1934) at the Internet Movie Database
  4. ↑ "First film to talk in Kannada". The Hindu. December 31, 2004.
  5. ↑ "A revolutionary filmmaker". The Hindu. August 22, 2003.
  6. ↑ Sati Sulochana Internet Movie Database.
  7. ↑ Acworth, Harry Arbuthnot (2008). Ballads of Marathas. BiblioBazaar, LLC. p. 114. ISBN 0-554-84776-0.
  8. ↑ "Homage to a litterateur". The Hindu. August 18, 2006.

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