When we think of the great epics of India, the Ramayana and Mahabharata immediately come to mind. Yet Bharat’s cultural landscape is woven with dozens of regional epics—oral, written, and sung—that have shaped local identities and carried the wisdom of dharma into every corner of the subcontinent. These epics, though lesser known outside their regions, are as profound as the pan-Indian narratives, reflecting the diversity and richness of Sanātana Dharma. They remind us that the epic spirit is not confined to Ayodhya or Kurukshetra but flows through every river and valley of Bharat.
What Are Regional Epics?
Regional epics are long narratives of heroes, saints, or deities composed in local languages and transmitted through oral traditions, folk performances, and ballads. They often carry the essence of dharma, justice, and devotion, but rooted in local contexts—celebrating village heroes, warrior saints, or divine incarnations unique to a region.
While the Ramayana and Mahabharata present universal archetypes, regional epics show how communities reinterpret dharma in their own landscapes, languages, and histories.
Silappadikaram (Tamil Nadu)
One of the earliest regional epics, the Silappadikaram (The Tale of the Anklet), was composed in Tamil around the 2nd century CE. It tells the tragic story of Kannagi, a chaste woman whose husband Kovalan is wrongly executed by the Pandya king. In righteous fury, Kannagi burns down the city of Madurai, proving her husband’s innocence and transforming into a goddess of justice.
The epic is not only a tale of love and injustice but also a statement of dharma—how truth ultimately triumphs, even if through suffering. Kannagi continues to be worshipped in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka as a goddess of chastity and justice.
Pampa Bharata (Kannada)
In Karnataka, the poet Adikavi Pampa (10th century CE) composed the Pampa Bharata, a Jain retelling of the Mahabharata. Here, Arjuna is portrayed as the true hero, while the narrative reflects Jain values of non-violence and renunciation.
Pampa’s work shows how local poets reshaped pan-Indian epics through their own spiritual lens, blending regional language, Jain philosophy, and poetic innovation. The Pampa Bharata became a cornerstone of Kannada literature, inspiring centuries of poets.
Mappila Ramayanam (Kerala)
In Kerala, the Ramayana found a unique form among the Mappila Muslim community. The Mappila Ramayanam is sung in the local dialect, blending Islamic cultural influences with devotion to Rama. Though differing in style from Valmiki’s text, it shows how the epic spirit transcends boundaries, becoming part of shared cultural heritage.
Pabuji Ki Phad (Rajasthan)
In the deserts of Rajasthan, the epic of Pabuji is painted on large scrolls (phads) and sung by traditional bards. Pabuji is remembered as a hero and protector of cattle, who sacrificed his life defending dharma and his people.
Performed all night in village gatherings, the Pabuji Ki Phad combines song, art, and devotion, keeping alive a hero who embodies Rajput valor and sacrifice. For villagers, Pabuji is not a distant figure but a living guardian deity.
Telegu Epics: Palnati Virula Katha
In Andhra Pradesh, the Palnati Virula Katha narrates the 12th-century battle of Palnadu, remembered as the “Andhra Kurukshetra.” It recounts the rivalry between two warrior clans, blending history and legend. Like the Mahabharata, it portrays dilemmas of loyalty, dharma, and kinship.
This epic, sung by wandering minstrels, remains a reminder of Andhra’s martial traditions and the timeless struggle between justice and power.
Assamese Ramayana and Mahabharata
In Assam, the saint-poet Madhava Kandali (14th century) composed the first Ramayana in a modern Indian language. His Saptakanda Ramayana localized the story with Assamese culture and idiom, making it accessible to common people. Later, the Burhanath Bharata brought the Mahabharata into Assamese verse, ensuring that epic dharma resonated in the Brahmaputra valley.
Manipuri Epic of Khamba-Thoibi
The Manipuri epic of Khamba-Thoibi narrates the love story of Khamba, a poor orphan, and Thoibi, a princess. Set against the backdrop of martial traditions and court intrigue, the epic celebrates valor, devotion, and love overcoming social barriers. Performed through song and dance, it remains central to Manipuri cultural identity.
Other Regional Treasures
- In Maharashtra, the Jñaneshwari (a commentary on the Gita) and the abhangas of Tukaram retell epic truths in poetic devotion.
- In Orissa, the Jagamohana Ramayana by Balarama Dasa localizes Rama’s story for Odia audiences.
- In Bengal, Chandi Mangala and Manasa Mangala epics honor local goddesses alongside epic dharma.
Each region adds its own heroes, heroines, and divine beings, making the epic tradition a living, evolving stream.
Common Threads Across Epics
Though diverse in language and form, these regional epics share common threads:
- Dharma: Whether Kannagi’s chastity, Pabuji’s valor, or Khamba’s devotion, each epic explores righteousness in its cultural context.
- Accessibility: Composed in local languages, they made spiritual and moral lessons available to common people.
- Integration of Faiths: Many epics reflect Jain, Buddhist, or even Islamic influences, showing Sanātana Dharma’s openness.
- Performance Tradition: Most are sung, danced, or painted, ensuring that epics were not confined to books but lived in community life.
Why They Matter Today
In today’s globalized world, regional epics remind us of India’s inner diversity. They show that dharma is not a rigid code but a living truth, expressed differently across communities. They also preserve regional languages, oral traditions, and cultural identities, ensuring that the voice of the village is heard alongside the voice of the sage.
Studying these epics expands our understanding of Sanātana Dharma beyond Valmiki and Vyasa, revealing a thousand storytellers who carried the torch of wisdom in their own ways.
Conclusion
The Ramayana and Mahabharata may be the great rivers of India’s epic tradition, but the regional epics are its tributaries—smaller in scale yet equally life-giving. From Kannagi’s fiery justice in Tamil Nadu to Pabuji’s valor in Rajasthan, from Khamba’s love in Manipur to Palnadu’s war in Andhra, these stories continue to shape the moral imagination of Bharat.
To read or listen to them is to hear the many voices of Sanātana Dharma, echoing the same eternal truths in diverse tongues. Together, they remind us that dharma is both universal and local, both eternal and ever new.
