An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar: From Barsaat to Ramayan

by PREM SAGAR

In another interesting incident, in Patna, there was an asylum with a central courtyard surrounded by cells secured with iron bars on all four sides. Several monkeys inhabited the surrounding trees. There was a continuous tussle between the inmates of the asylum and the monkeys over the food served to them. A psychiatrist suggested that if the inmates were shown the serial Ramayan, seeing the character of Hanuman on the screen, they might become more friendly towards the monkeys. The authorities placed a TV set in the middle of the open courtyard surrounded by the prison cells. Every Sunday, the inmates were let out and made to sit in front of the TV. Soon enough, Hanumanji, with his devotion and spiritual charm, had won over these inmates who then became friendly with the monkeys and even started sharing their food with them. Every Sunday morning, the monkeys would join the inmates in watching Ramayan. It was a miraculous bond between man and animal. One day as soon as the title music came on, one of the older monkeys that had not yet made it to the TV set immediately started to swing from one branch of the tree to another, to make it in time for the show. The title song had become like a clarion call for the monkeys. Not wanting to miss the telecast, the monkey rushed and misjudged the last swing and fell with a loud thud on the ground. He died immediately. The inmates and the other monkeys not only buried him with honours but also built a little memorial for their ‘Ram ...