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Ramlila



The Ramlila tradition refers to several short plays that are performed in northern India to celebrate Prince Rama's birthday in September and October. The highlights of Rama's life can be enacted as robust village theatre. The Ramlila tradition is inseparable from the famous Hindi version of the Ramayana, the Ramacharitmanas, by Tulsidas, who lived from 1523 to 1623. Tulsidas was a devotee of Rama, a philosopher, and a composer who has been considered an incarnation of Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana. Brahmans, however, are strongly against his version, which gained enormous popularity in North India. Inspired by Valmiki’s Ramayana, he created his version, which slightly differs from the original in some details. During Tulsidas' time, reciting the Ramayana was considered an act of devotion. Following Tulsidas' death in 1623, the Rama festival was celebrated by his followers, who enacted the Ramacharitmanas. The tradition spread to other parts of the region, and eventually, it evolved into a lavish pageant lasting up to one month.

There are several distinct forms of Ramlila in today's world. Uttar Pradesh for example has numerous styles, most notable being that of Ramnagar, Varanasi. This 31-day event usually climaxes in Dussehra. Every day a new episode is shown in a certain location appropriate to the episode of the day. For example, it may occur near the river, in a public square, in a forest, etc. The main characters, such as Rama, Sita, and Laksmana are usually pre-adolescent boys under the age of fourteen who come from a Brahman family. They are put through a period of fasting and purification in a temple before the Ramlila starts. The climax of this event is Rama's return and the scene when he embraces his brothers. As many as 300 000 spectators shout their praise and throw flowers on the platform where Rama embraces his brother. The action becomes frozen into a still tableau, which serves as a temporary altar for the adoring crowds of pilgrims. The Maharaja of Varanasi, the representative of Lord Shiva, takes the elephant as the representative of Lord Vishnu, Rama meets the Maharaja on his elephant. The one-month celebration of devotion ends with the burning of gigantic cardboard effigies of Ravana and Kumbakarna, which seals the final victory of good over bad.

Ramlila brings together the entire population without discriminating based on caste, religion, or age. All the villagers take part spontaneously, participating in a variety of related activities, such as making masks and costumes, as well as making make-up and effigies for lighting. However, the development of mass media, particularly television soap operas, is harming the number of people who view Ramlila plays, which are losing their primary function of bringing communities and persons together.

References

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