Ravan’s father was the famous rishi, Visravas, who himself was a son of Prajapati Pulastya, one of Brahma’s ten ‘mind-born’ sons.
Ravana conducted a Shiva yagya for Rama ahead of the battle, as he was the only high birth Brahmin who could perform such a complex sacrifice.
Since Ravan was one of the most learned scholars to have ever lived, Ram asked his brother Lakshman to sit beside the dying demon-king and learn from him important lessons in statecraft and diplomacy.
Ravan can often be seen carrying a veena. It is believed that he had a keen interest in music and was a highly accomplished veena player.
Ravan and his brother Kumbhkaran were actually Jaya and Vijaya. They were born as Rakshasas due to a curse by the four Kumaras.
He was a great Scholar in Ayurvedic medicine. He was the person who invented “Arka Shastra”. The book “Kumara Tantraya” which reveals the treatments for infant diseases was written by him accepting the request of his pregnant queen Mandodari.