විජයධරණී

RĀVANA: A CLASH OF CULTURES Nimesha Thiwankara Senevipala Sri Lanka Administrative Service nthiwankara.nt@gmail.com   The figure of ‘ Rāvana ’ continues to be a complex and unresolved historical enigma, provoking varied interpretations among scholars and the broader public alike. Some view  Rāvana  as a genuine historical figure, while others consider him a mythic creation, blurring the line between reality and legend. At times, his story has been seen as a powerful metaphor for the “cultural and psychological invasion” of modern India, with the symbolism of  Rāvana  used to critique certain aspects of contemporary identity. Moreover, the narrative surrounding Rāvana has occasionally been linked to the promotion of North and East Dravidian homelands, adding another layer to the debate. This article seeks to highlight the pressing need for a reimagined ideological approach to the study of Rāvana, urging a fresh, critical exploration of his significanc...