An epic for the ages: Magic of Ramlila back to enthral Delhi

With Navratri celebrations beginning on Sunday, Ramlila shows returned to the national capital, as artistes began the portrayal of the Ramayana to packed audiences, performances that will last for 10 days leading up to Dussehra.

- Sadia Akhtar

And foremost among the celebrations were a mise en scène comprising a decked-up stage with colourful lights at the Kendra lawns of the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK).

As the clock struck seven on Sunday evening, the curtains rose with the sound of a conch shell, and the stage lit up as Luv and Kush the children of Lord Ram and Sita and a troop of dancers emerged on the scene.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause as Shri Ram came to life.

Through a medley of dance, drama, and music, artistes at SBKK began presenting the annual cultural extravaganza, which is marking its 67th edition this year.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the chief guest for the inaugural show, called SBKK's productions iconic. "These performances are vivid and memorable. They capture incredibly significant moments of our history," said Puri.

The production of the saga, played out over 28 scenes, narrates the epic Ramayana through a unique fusion of many forms of Indian classical music, folk dances, and martial and acrobatic arts. Over a span of 2 hours and 40 minutes, important moments from the Ramayana, starting from Lord Ram's birth, his marriage to Sita, their exile, the slaying of Ravana, and Sita's agni pareeksha are brought to life through myriad performances.