"Ramayana" is one of the world's best epic telling the story of Rama and Sinta's undying love for each other. Originating from the Hindi culture, the story was adapted during ancient Javanese times and nowadays can still be seen in stone reliefs, plays, and even comic books.

Despite its popularity, some parts of the Javanese version of the story remain hidden in the ancient script and have not been translated yet.

Dr. Willem van der Molen, an expert in Javanese literature from Leiden University, the Netherlands, said the original Javanese version of the story could unfold more details about the history and culture of the Javanese.

Speaking at a public lecture on the Javanese Ramayana on May 29, van der Molen said the Ramayana story needed to be rewritten.

"Indonesia still has a lot of old Javanese scripts that have not been read yet. I found new elements in the tale after reading and researching this Ramayana script," he said at a literature event organized at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java.

Researchers from Leiden University are currently examining 30 ancient Javanese scripts describing the epic tale. Van der Molen said he had found an interesting interpretation in the script of the journey of Hanoman (the white ape-man).

"Discovering and translating this old Javanese script is not just a challenge for me," he said, "it is also a pleasure to read the *Ramayana'."

Although the lecture was open to the public, most of the participants were students and lecturers of Javanese literature and archaeology departments, said Dwi Puspita Rini, the event's moderator.

Poppy Novita Iriana, an archaeology student, said the newly translated script helped reconstruct history and decipher stone reliefs in temples.

Although she studied artifacts, she said literature scripts helped her learn about the past.

Titik Pudjiastuti, head of the literature department at FIB UI, pointed out only a few students were interested in the ancient Javanese script.

"We will promote the study of ancient Javanese script by holding lectures and workshops. It's a way to preserve our local genius and Indonesian culture. Moreover, there are still many documents that have not been interpreted yet," she said.

Prita Nur Aini

Student of University of Indonesia

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