In this episode, Professor Arup K. Chatterjee and Dr. Rhodora G. Magan (of Cebu Tech University, Philippines, and Naveen Jindal Fellow) engage in a deep exploration of the themes presented in Magan’s important paper, Perception and visibility of the state: The Ramayan of the Maranao: Rethinking aquapelagos in the Philippines’ Sulu Sea. This conversation, recalling Chatterjee’s supervision and mentorship of Magan’s work, delves into the intersections of historical narratives, state perception, and cultural transformation in Southeast Asia.

Magan’s paper enriches conventional understandings of epic narratives and state formation by reexamining the well-known Hindu epic, the Ramayan, within a uniquely Philippine context. Throughout the dialogue, the two scholars discuss how the Ramayan, traditionally seen as an immutable narrative, undergoes profound reinterpretation among the Maranao people. This reinterpretation is not merely a literary or mythological exercise—it is emblematic of broader processes of adaptation and transformation in response to environmental, political, and social forces.

Central to the discussion is the story of the Maranao, a people whose history was dramatically altered by the eruption of Mount Makaturing. Faced with a natural catastrophe, these mountain dwellers were forced to migrate to the coastal areas of the Sulu Archipelago. Chatterjee and Magan detail how this migration catalyzed a fundamental shift in the Maranao way of life: from traditional upland agriculture to a new existence defined by maritime livelihood. The conversation reveals how this forced relocation not only reconfigured the Maranao’s economic practices but also reshaped their cultural identity, forging a hybrid tradition that seamlessly weaves together past and present.

The podcast also provides an in-depth look at the geography and cultural diversity of the Philippines—a nation comprised of over 7,000 islands and characterized by its unique archipelagic nature. Chatterjee elaborates on how the physical fragmentation of the country has led to distinct regional identities and languages. While the national language, Filipino (based on Tagalog), predominates in Luzon, regional tongues like Cebuano flourish in the Visayas and Mindanao, highlighting the organic, unforced prominence of local cultures. This geographic and linguistic mosaic is pivotal to understanding how the Maranao and other communities navigate their identities in relation to state power and cultural heritage.

A particularly compelling aspect of the conversation is the exploration of how Magan’s paper reconfigures the familiar narrative of the Ramayan. In the local version embraced by the Maranao, traditional roles are inverted—diversifying canonical interpretations and offering a fresh lens through which to view both the epic and its socio-political implications. This deconstruction is presented as a creative act of cultural adaptation, reflecting the dynamic interplay between indigenous practices and imported narratives. It prompts listeners to consider how state power and cultural visibility are negotiated through the reinterpretation of epic stories.

By intertwining historical analysis with contemporary cultural critique, this conversation offers a nuanced perspective on how communities, when faced with disruption and change, forge resilient and adaptive identities. Chatterjee and Magan’s dialogue not only deepens our understanding of Southeast Asia’s rich cultural tapestry but also underscores the enduring power of narrative in shaping state perception and collective memory.

References

Magan, R.G. (2025). Perception and visibility of the state: The Ramayan of the Maranao: Rethinking aquapelagos in the Philippines’ Sulu Sea. Shima, preprint. Retrieved from https://shimajournal.org/article/10.21463/shima.247.pdf