Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana is a Bengali adaptation of the original Valmiki Ramayana, which was written in Sanskrit. While the basic story and characters are the same in both versions, there are several differences between the two works. Here are some of the main differences:
1. Language: The most obvious difference is the language in which the two works are written. Valmiki Ramayana is written in Sanskrit, while Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana is written in Bengali.
2. Length: Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana is much shorter than the Valmiki Ramayana. The Bengali version has around 5000 verses, while the Sanskrit version has around 24000 verses.
3. Style: The two works have different styles of narration. The Valmiki Ramayana is written in a more formal, elaborate style, while Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana has a more folksy, colloquial style.
4. Cultural context: Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana reflects the cultural context of medieval Bengal, while the Valmiki Ramayana reflects the ancient Indian society in which it was written. As a result, the Bengali version has some unique features that reflect the local culture and customs of Bengal.
5. Differences in plot: There are some differences in the plot and characterization between the two works, although these are relatively minor. For example, in Krittibas Ojha’s Ramayana, Hanuman is portrayed as a trickster figure who is always playing pranks, while in Valmiki Ramayana, he is a more serious and noble character. Similarly, the Bengali version places more emphasis on the character of Sita and her relationship with Rama, while the Sanskrit version focuses more on Rama’s heroic deeds.
The above points — especially the fifth difference — however, are not accurate, says Swadharma‘s Editor-in-Chief Surajit Dasgupta. This Hanuman Jayanti, Thursday, 6 April 2023, he will go live on Swadharma’s YouTube channel and Facebook page to explain 20 differences between Krittibasi Ramayan and Valmiki Ramayana. Tune in at 8 PM that day.