Ravana Burst with Pomp and Show

The festival of Dussehra was approaching, so the teachers and students were busy preparing for the three-day fair organised every year on this special occasion in the school. This year the responsibility of staging Ramleela in the fair was given to the students of classes 3rd, 4th, and 5th. On the other hand, the children of classes 6th, 7th and 8th were given the responsibility of making Ravana effigies.

- Shikha Gola Prajapati

The principal announced that the class with the most unique Ravana effigy would be awarded by the Chief Guest. This made all the children excited for the task.

A few rules were given to the three classes for making Ravana effigies. The first rule was that the length of the effigy should not be more than five feet and the second rule was that the fireworks used to burn it should be small and less polluting— like phuljhadi, anar, string bomb and bijli bomb.

Some children were disappointed due to this rule of using low-sound firecrackers, thinking that there would be no fun in burning Ravana without any noise. But the rules had to be followed to be part of the competition.

All the children were thinking of ideas to ensure the Ravana of their class gets the first position.

The Dussehra fair had already started on the school grounds. The Ramleela organised by the 3rd, 4th and 5th classes was highly appreciated by the guests, school administration and the spectators. The children were also rewarded by the school administration.

After the two-day-long Ramleela in the fair, the day of the Dussehra celebration arrived. Along with the school administration, the audience was excited to see the Ravana effigies made by the children.

The effigies were put up on the school grounds. The Ravana of class 6th looked colourful and attractive, decorated with different colours. Looking at this Ravana, everyone exclaimed, "Look at that colourful Ravana!" The Ravana of class 7th looked pompous with a big moustache. The big eyes, long moustache and big belly of this Ravana were attracting the children. Looking at it, everyone shouted, "Look at the stout Ravana!"