Valmiki

Valmiki, a legendary poet and revered Hindu maharishi, is celebrated as the traditional author of the epic Ramayana, one of the two Itihasas in Hinduism. Known as Ādi Kavi, or the first poet, Valmiki's contributions to literature are monumental, with the Ramayana comprising twenty-four thousand shlokas and seven cantos. This epic poem narrates the tale of Prince Rama from Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducted by the demon-king Ravana of Lanka.

The Ramayana is an extensive work, containing approximately four hundred eighty thousand two words, making it a quarter of the length of the Mahabharata and four times that of the Iliad. Scholars estimate that the earliest versions of this text date back to between the eighth and fourth centuries BCE, with later revisions extending to the third century CE. However, the precise date of its original composition remains elusive due to the numerous interpolations and redactions it has undergone over time.

Valmiki's literary genius has been acknowledged by many, including British satirist Aubrey Menen, who described him as an outlaw due to his philosophic skepticism during a period of Indian Enlightenment. Menen also posits that Valmiki was a contemporary of Rama and highlights his unique approach as the first author in history to incorporate himself into his own narrative.