"The Iliad of the East: The Journey of the Ramayana across Asia"

"The Iliad of the East: The Journey of the Ramayana across Asia" with Riya Sarkar

Summary:

Called the Iliad of the East, the Ramayana is a sweeping 24,000-verse tale of exile, love, loyalty, and war, but it has never been a single version frozen in time. Over two millennia it has travelled across Asia: sung by Sanskrit bards in India, painted on Thai temple walls, performed as Indonesian shadow puppetry, retold in Tibetan manuscripts and South Indian poetry, with each culture reshaping its heroes and villains to reflect its own struggles and ideals. Riya Sarkar and Aditi Angiras bring together images, film clips, and storytelling to trace the epic's many lives: playful, visual, and thought-provoking, and a chance to discover why the Ramayana still resonates as one of humanity's most enduring stories.

Bio:

Riya Sarkar is a public historian, former architect, and co-founder of Caravanserai, a London platform exploring the civilisations of the Silk Road and South Asia through live talks, walking tours, and mixed-media storytelling. She holds an MBA from Oxford and a 2017 UNESCO Perso-Arabic Calligraphy Fellowship. Alongside her team, she has developed and delivered talks and tours across London to more than 1,000 attendees, including five previous appearances at Pints of Knowledge.

Venue:

Pizza East, Shoreditch
56 Shoreditch High Street
E1 6JJ

Event Running Time:
Doors from 12pm
Introduction: 12:45pm
Lecture: 12:50pm
Q&A: 13:30pm

FAQs:

What is Pints of Knowledge?

Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond.

What happens at Pints of Knowledge?

At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

No problem at all! Pints of Knowledge is all about the ideas and the community, not the drinks. You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink, coffee, or whatever you prefer. The focus is on creating a relaxed, social atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable.

Can I attend without a ticket?

Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. With our limited capacity at each venue we can't let people in without a ticket. There is occasionally the option to purchase a ticket on the door for our sold-out events, but we cannot guarantee this.

Is there food available?

Yes, there is usually the option to purchase food at our events - please see each venue's menu on their website. If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts. In the unlikely event the kitchen isn't open, there will typically be an option to order in food from elsewhere or bring your own food.

Can I get my ticket refunded?

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Can I get my ticket exchanged?

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Is the event pet/baby friendly?

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Is the venue accessible?

All of our venues are accessible, besides the following: The Old Queen's Head, The Landor, The Alma, and The Morpeth Arms.