Shiv Kumar Padha
Love and interest of the people in fine arts, miniature art, music, dance, drama and the intangible aesthetic sense is transmitted from generations to generations. Perhaps it is the legacy which the people of Basohli are inherited with from the times of Rajas of Pal dynasty, who ruled Basohli state for 1500 years. It is said that the virtues and the vices of the rulers of a state are reflected in the behavior of their future generations even hundreds of years after their rule. Pal Rajas durbars were adorned by the Nav Rattans, noble men of excellence taken from all walks of life of the contemporary society. Rang Mahal of the Basohli Palaces always echoed with the high notes of the classical singers, rhythm of Dholkies and the rattling of the gungroos of the dancers.
Having inherited the traits of music and drama, the natives of the Basohli have been nurturing the valuable art of music, dance and drama for the last two centuries. They have been playing theater and drama since the time when the developed towns of the state were in infancy. According to the verbal and the written record available, the celebrations of BasohliRamleela dates back to the early 20th century, when the local artists called Ras Dhariye from the neighboring towns of Punjab and Himachal Pardesh used to play Ramleela in an open cordoned arena. Inspired by the Rasmandlies, the artists started staging Ramleela in a hall called Mandua, a kind of theater of that time. During those days there was neither the facility of lights nor of public address system, as we have today. The pitch of the artists was so high that one could listen the dialogues of the artist even from a long distance.
The use of latest innovation in the celebrations of the Ramleela revolutionized the concept of its presentation in the country. Inspired by the innovations in the field of presentation, the management committee started staging it in the vast open ground having a capacity to accommodate large gatherings. Instead of one stage, Ramleela is now staged on five different stages, Ayodhya, Lanka, Mareech, Saroopnakha, Sumeru Parbhat for Hanuman and Sugreev and a vast space for the battles between the kings. The entry and the departure of the actors to and from the performing ground is signalled by the brass band deployed. The decoration of the whole arena gives a brides look.
The presentation of the life like scenes during the celebrations glorifies the functions which attract large number of viewers from the adjacent states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Sita janam, Sita swayamvar, Falling of seven Taad trees by Lord Rama with one arrow, Sitaharan, coming down of Lord Hanuman from Akash Marg are the most charming and the mesmerizing attractions of the celebrations. The characters performing the role of Ram, Sita, Ravan and others remain on ten days fast. Great emphasis is given on the maintenance of sanctity of the adjoining areas.
Like the sacred festivals of Eid Mubarakh, Diwali the family members of the town, irrespective of the religion, hold their breath till the celebrations start in the town. The children from all the communities get new clothes stitched specially for the celebrations. Harmony and brotherhood between different communities mark the Ram Leela celebrations.
In order to commemorate and transmit to the next generations, the exemplary life history of Bhagwan Ram as an ideal son, brother, king, disciple and philanthropist is shown in the Ramleela. Ramleela is celebrated not only in India but in many other parts of the world every year. Like Sindhu Darshan festival of Leh, week long mega festival of Ladakh, Kheer Bhawani of Kashmir, Bawa Jito and Ram Navami of Jammu, Basohli Ramleela celebrations are famous and unique in respect of its life like presentation, dialogue delivery, sanctity, religious harmony, and discipline. The countdown for the preparations of the Ramleela celebrations starts from the Raksha Bandan poornima with the hoisting of the traditional Mahavir Pataka in the premises of Ramleela ground. The celebrations of the Basohli Ramleela dates back to the early twentieth century viz.1911 when the Ramleela was used to be staged in a small tin roofed theater called ‘Mandwa’ for all the ten days. Due to the non-availability of the lighting facilities and public address system, the Ramleela episode used to start early in the evening and culminate before the night fall. Later on, the staging of Ramleela was started in the wide open ground with different Palaces like wooden durbars, namely Ram durbar, Janak durbar, Ravan durbar, Ashokvatika, Panchvati, Sumeroo Parvat and sufficient space for depicting different battles. The decoration of durbars and that of the arena mesmerizes every viewer.
Every episode of the Ramleela starts with great enthusiasm. The jhankies of Ram janam, appearance of Sita from beneath the ground, decoration of Dhanushyagya arena and exchange of dialogues, felling of seven Taarbriksh (trees) by Ram with one arrow in order to exhibit his capability of killing the evil forces, flight of Hanuman with sanjeevanibooti, glowing of Lakshmanrekha every time Ravan dares to cross it and Ram vanvas are worth seeing. The costumes, the crowns and the tiaras worn by the characters add to the beauty of the presentation. Thousands of the spectators from within and outside the state throng Basohli town during the celebrations. Due to the observance of self-discipline by the spectators no case of theft, pick pocketing, quarreling, eve teasing or of any untoward incident is reported during the ten day festival. The sanctity of the Ramleela mandup is maintained both by the management and the spectators as a result of which no case of smoking/drinking is reported during the presentation. There is strict restriction imposed on the entry into the mandup wearing the leather shoes or any leather made article. The management and the persons playing the roles of characters observe fast during the celebrations. There is equal participation of Hindus and Muslims in the management and celebration of the Ramleela which is a rare example of religious harmony seen in the present scenario.
Basohli Ram Leela is the first in the UT which has been recognized by the state cultural academy No.ADM-70/66-67/3789 dated 10-12-1966. The Ramleela committee has got good assets in the shape of accommodation, costumes, sophisticated electronic gadgets and the hard cash which is donated by the people with smiling face. Basohli Ramleela is lucky enough to have Prem Sagar Aziz, ex minister of Jammu and Kashmir, as president of the committee who has revolutionized and overhauled the whole system by his experience and dedication. He has steered the committee in the direction of progress and has added many new dimensions to the existing set up.
With the inauguration of Atal Setu bridge over river Ravi, Ramleela committee is experiencing a big boost due to the influx of large number of viewers from the adjoining states. In order to entertain them, the committee plans some additional programs of culture, folk dances and songs by different organizations every year. In order to make the celebrations a success the state and the district authorities lend their fullest cooperation in the matters of security, maintenance of law and order during the Navratras. The different TV channels also cover and telecast the Ramleela every day. It is worth mentioning here that the BasohliRamleela has been adjudged at number one among the Ramleelas staged in metros of the country.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
