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Enakshi worries that Ramlila is being organised by the organisers despite the restrictions of the Pandemic. She concludes that each one of us, in real life, must learn from Lord Ram and the Ramlila rather than depend on Him. A Special Feature exclusively for Different Truths.
Winter has set in the country and the chill in the breeze does not fail to remind one of the festivities and jollity that are lined up in the upcoming days. One of the most anticipated festivals celebrated in India is Dussehra. While there are different versions and different styles of celebrations, the purpose is the same: the celebration of the victory of good over evil. Amidst the Coronavirus scare, it was uncertain whether the Ramlila will be given a green signal. Call it the persistence of the artistes or the faith of people in the good that the government finally gave a nod and various theatres started rigorous practice sessions to ensure that the audience is enthralled by the performances. Even though the original storyline has been truncated, the producers and storytellers are devising new forms like that of Ballet, stage play and podcasts to provide the same vibe!
When I first got to know that Ramlila would be happening this year too, I was a little taken aback by the decision because it risked the lives of many. Already our country is struggling with the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases and the organisation of such mass events would add fuel to the fire. Hence, I was totally against this idea.
When I first got to know that Ramlila would be happening this year too, I was a little taken aback by the decision because it risked the lives of many. Already our country is struggling with the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases and the organisation of such mass events would add fuel to the fire. Hence, I was totally against this idea. Upon reading and researching further, I found out how different cities are taking enough precautions to ensure the safety of the troupe and the performers. In Delhi, the organizers of the Vishnu Avtar Ramlila have taken up the onus to instil awareness in the audience about social distancing and sanitization by repeatedly announcing and reminding them to take the necessary precautions. Their crew members are seen to be performing in PPE kits. The props like the Dhanush are being sanitized before being passed on to the next person. In Chandigarh, Ramlila has taken an entirely different turn because people can spot the core characters riding bicycles and urging the people to take enough precautions to keep Covid-19 at bay. As if this was not enough, socially distanced Ramlila has begun airing on YouTube already. There are plenty of plays that are being telecast online.
Humans know how to evolve and adapt. Hence, these measures to ensure that life does not stop, and the celebrations do not come to a halt prove their mettle to thrive in any adverse condition. Ravana is a metaphor for evil and when Ravana himself proclaims that he should be executed, the message becomes even more impactful. Several plays are showing the association between evil and Coronavirus. Therefore, they are suggesting the audience to beat evil by being cautious and not giving in so easily.
There are so many values that people learn from Ramlila or the story of Lord Ram. What is uncanny is the current situation where people are learning the value of sibling relationships, respect for parents, the value of time and morals- all by sitting inside their houses. It is even stranger that the bond between people is being nurtured with love and care even without going an extra mile.
There are so many values that people learn from Ramlila or the story of Lord Ram. What is uncanny is the current situation where people are learning the value of sibling relationships, respect for parents, the value of time and morals- all by sitting inside their houses. It is even stranger that the bond between people is being nurtured with love and care even without going an extra mile. People are learning to differentiate between right and wrong: the right being the necessary precautions and the wrong being ignorance and unawareness. Though not all people have been made aware of the consequences of carelessness, most of them are coping quite well in the pandemic. People are coming forward to help the weak and the vulnerable. They are avoiding bad counsel and staying away from bad influence (in this case, the influence of others who urge their friends to travel and not take any precautions).
It would not be wrong to say that the real Ramlila is happening very much in our real life. The only difference is that the power to eliminate the evil now vests in each of us rather than in Lord Ram alone. This time would not come again, and it should not. What we all can do is learn from this experience and take away all that we can. Whether or not we are able to attend live Ramlila, it is imperative for all of us to become more accountable for ourselves. Take charge of our well-being and utilise this time to strengthen bonds, celebrate time at home and invest in love and care.
Wishing you all a happy Dussehra and Diwali!
Photo from the Internet
Feature picture from youtube.com
