Ramleela: Familiar tale in technological avatar

Exaggerated costumes, make-up and props are a pivotal part of re-enactment of any mythological folk tale. Ramleelas here, though, are presenting a contemporary spectacle with increased use of technology and professional theatre artistes' performances.

"For Ravana dahan, we have arranged for technicians this year to create a bow-and-arrow effect for the chief guest to operate from the stage itself. A fire cracker will be shot from the bow and hit the belly of Ravana's effigy," says Jatinder Bhatia, chief patron of the Sanatan Dharm Dussehra Committee in Sector 46.

Bhatia says a helicopter will be arranged for showering petals on the guests. "Though done manually, we have skilfully practised the somewhat difficult sequence of Lanka dahan, and are now performing it every year," he adds.

With the maximum crowd collecting on the final day of the Ramleela to witness the burning of Ravana's effigy, some Ramleela committees have installed cameras and televisions to screen the performance live.

Artistes say these improvisations are happening as Ramleelas are being screened on TV channels and there is a growing need to pull in the crowds. "Now the Vishnu chakra used by us is battery-operated and rotates, and the Sheshnaag fang has got lights. We have created a mountain with rocks to depict the forest and the stage has been lit in a way that the colours change according to time of the day and mood of the story," says Mausam, an artiste with Azad Dramatic Club which is holding Ramleela in Sector 20.

Though a theatre student, Mausam is one of the many theatre artistes who have forayed into performing at the Ramleela. "It adds to the work experience of performing live, and one gets to play many characters in one series," he says.

There are those who are sticking to traditional production. "This is not a commercial or entertainment activity for us. We perform to spread the message of Lord Rama and will continue to do that in our own humble way without compromising on the sanctity of the act," says Akhilesh, director at the Shri Anant Bhakti Prakash Ramleela Mandi, Sector 27.

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