Synopsis Ravana is one of the most fascinating characters in the epic traditions of the world. His uniqueness comes from the tact that he is not merely a villain but also a highly accomplished character in arts and learning. Ravana's accomplishments make him a most distinct villain in the epic traditions of the world. The different essays that are brought together in this volume bring out this greatness in the character of Ravana. The essays also show how the tradition of Ramayana exists in different forms and with different meanings in various parts of South Asia and South East Asia. But the one constant feature in all these traditions, as the essays show, is the nature of accomplishment that is associated with the character of Ravana. The essays in this volume consist of lectures, commentaries and research works that have been carried out especially since 20 century till the present times. The essays also remind us of the fact that analysis of the Ramayana would remain incomplete without considering the role of Ravana in making possible the subtlety and grandeur that the epic is infused with.