Sri Lankan Airways has launched a charming new commercial that has shortly gained reputation amongst Indian viewers. The advert creatively highlights the wealthy cultural heritage of Sri Lanka by the lens of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, inviting audiences to discover the island nation’s historic connections to the traditional story.
The five-minute video incorporates a journey alongside the ‘Ramayana Path’, showcasing important websites in Sri Lanka which might be believed to be linked to the epic. Notable areas highlighted within the commercial embody Ravan’s Cave close to Ella, the place the demon king Ravan is alleged to have saved Sita, and the Seetha Amman Temple—also referred to as the Ashok Vatika Sita Temple—maintained by the Indian Tamil neighborhood in Sri Lanka.
The marketing campaign goals to advertise Sri Lanka as a premier tourism vacation spot, particularly concentrating on Indian vacationers and devotees of Lord Ram. The advert additionally references the legendary Ram Setu, a bridge purportedly constructed by Lord Ram’s monkey military, connecting Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka’s coast.
In probably the most memorable second within the advert, a baby inquires whether or not the bridge nonetheless exists, to which his grandmother responds, “Sure, you may nonetheless see it right now.” She additional emphasizes, “All of the locations within the Ramayana are actual. At the moment, we all know Lanka as Sri Lanka.”
Right here is the advert:
The commercial has sparked important engagement on social media, with many customers praising Sri Lankan Airways for its progressive method to selling tourism whereas celebrating shared cultural narratives.
One person commented on the video on X, saying, “I used to be planning a visit to Tokyo with pals subsequent yr. However this commercial made me to vary my plans to Sri Lanka now. Did not know, that Sri Lankans have conserved these historic locations until date. Very properly made commercial. Thanks. Jai Shri Ram.”
One other individual commented, “I’m thrilled to see the revival of the Ramayana tourism venture in Sri Lanka! As one of many early contributors to this initiative again in 2008, After 16 years, it’s heartening to witness its resurgence.”
A 3rd person detailing his sentiment mentioned, “It’s inspiring to see Sri Lanka embrace the Ramayana to spotlight their cultural heritage and appeal to tourism! The Ramayana isn’t only a story; it’s an epic that has united folks throughout generations and borders.”
Additional echoing the sentiment of secularism the identical person continued, “But right here in India, we regularly see resistance from so-called “seculars” who deal with any acknowledgement of our wealthy Hindu heritage as by some means divisive. It’s time we have fun the sweetness and depth of our personal traditions with satisfaction, identical to Sri Lanka is doing. Our epics, just like the Ramayana, are treasures that need to be honoured, not sidelined.”
