Mareech : Birth of the pearl islands

Folk stories are tales and legends originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition. As in many oral epics, multiple versions of the Ramayana survive. In particular, the Ramayana related in north India differs in important respects from that preserved in south India and the rest of southeast Asia. There is an extensive tradition of oral storytelling based on Ramayana in Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam and Maldives. In some versions, there are no mention of Ravana, while in others it is Lakshamana who kills Ravana. As such, one might argue that these variations are not to be frowned at, but instead, are an undeniable evidence of the far reaching impact of the Ramayana and Indian culture through out Asia. Some scholars actually think that the Ramayana is meant to be somewhat malleable in order to localize and liken the story to the location where it is being told.
In the same vein, this dance drama is based by a Mauritian folk story, inspired by the Ramayana. It is adapted from the work of Mr. Pahlad Ramsurrun – “Folk Tales of Mauritius”, and probably originates from the time when Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius. The similarity in pronunciation of “Mareech” and “Mauritius” might be at the source of this folk story.
Our story is set in the time when Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, with his brother Laxman, and his consort Sita were living in Dhandaka forest, during an exile of fourteen years. Ravana the king of Lanka, offended by the death of his two brothers Khar and Dushan (both killed by Rama), and the attack on and humiliation of his sister Surpankha (who had her nose cut off by Lakshamana while defending Sita), hatched a plot, with the help of Mareech, the magician, to kidnap Sita.
Mareech took the form of a golden spotted deer and approached Rama’s hut. Sita was charmed and she requested Rama to get the deer for her. Rama chased the animal that led him away from the hut. At last, Rama shot an arrow and on striking the spotted deer, it changed into Mareech, the magician. In his dying breath, Mareech made a request to Rama: “Give me a boon so that I may hear your name forever.” When Rama touched the corpse of Mareech, it transformed into pearls and gems. Rama took them in his hands, and he threw those pearls towards the south, into the sea…
Following a great storm in the ocean… the pearls turned into islands, namely Madagascar, Reunion, Rodrigues and… the namesake, Mauritius.
Many a people came and left, but Mareech’s wish was yet to be granted. Then one day, at last, he heard familiar voices singing “Ram Ram Ram….”