Rama is a minor character in Disney's 1967 animated feature film The Jungle Book. He is a member of the Seeonee wolf pack who served as Mowgli's former adoptive father.
Background
Rama is a member of a wolf pack that Bagheera is acquainted with. At the beginning of the film, he and his mate Raksha had recently had a litter of pups. Due to his short appearance, his personality is not well developed. However, he treats Mowgli as his own adopted son and cares deeply for the boy's safety.
Role in the film
As narrated by Bagheera, the newborn Mowgli is taken to Rama and his mate in the hopes that they would care for the baby. While Raksha is immediately enamored, and Rama accepts the boy, helping her to raise him for 10 years.
When Shere Khan returns to the wolves' part of the jungle, Rama is present at a meeting meant to determine Mowgli's future. As Shere Khan has sworn to kill Mowgli and all who protected him, the wolf pack elders decide to send Mowgli away, as even the pack would not be strong enough to face Shere Khan.
Rama complains in Mowgli's favor, stating that the boy is like his own son and thus is entitled to the pack's protection. Rama also states Mowgli would likely not survive alone in the jungle. However, Bagheera volunteers to take Mowgli to a Man Village he knows of. Rama watches as Bagheera heads off.
Trivia
- In the book, Rama was a name of a water buffalo and this character's name was just "Father Wolf".
- He is named after Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu and hero of the epic poem "The Ramayana".
- Similar to King Louie, Rama doesn't appear in the 2003 sequel alongside the wolves, and his occupation as Mowgli's adoptive father is taken over by the Village Leader.
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