Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
“Let Natya i.e. Drama and Dance be the fifth Vedic scripture combined with an epic story, tending to virtue, wealth, joy and spiritual freedom. It must contain significance of every scripture and forward every art.” Says Bharat Muni in Natyashastra.
Now Ramlila is one of the various art related festivities within Sanatan dharma. It is the presentation that includes story, narration, recital, dance and dialogues and is performed annually during autumn festival of Navratris. It is performed in various languages not only across India but abroad also. Ramlila staged at Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama has special significance and becomes a center of attraction globally.
It is believed that the epic Ramayana is dated to the 1st millennium BCE and is regarded as one of the oldest genres of Indian literature. It is not clear as no documentary evidence is found that when the stories related to Lord Rama started being staged but when Tulsidas, a 16th century poet and a staunch devotee of Lord Rama came up with his version of Ramayana in the form of RAMCHRITMANAS, it is assumed that Ramlila came into existence. His disciple Megha Bhagat started staging Ramlila based on Ramcharitmanas in 1625 which was mostly in narrative form with enactment of some scenes. Thereafter Ramlila became a prestigious platform not only religiously but because of entertainment content also. In the past, when there was no Radio, Television and one could not even dream of Internet packed entertainment explosion of modern era, it was the only medium of expression for artists and a mode of entertainment for masses.
It is noteworthy that like in all parts of India and many foreign countries, Ramlila is staged in UT of Jammu & Kashmir also with all zeal. In Jammu province particularly, some platforms where Ramlila is being staged for the last so many years now have gained historical significance. Ramlila of Basohli is much talked about and is running for the last more than 112 years and if we talk of Jammu city, then Ramlila staged by Shri Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj, Dewan Mandir Jammu and Saraswati Dramatic Club, Billu Mandir, Panjtirthi, Jammu are very popular having a history of more than a 150 and 100 years respectively and are still holding the same reputation. Kundan Lal Saigal, first superstar of Bollywood, Sunder, prominent comedian and Om Parkash, celebrated comedian and character artist of Hindi movies have played significant roles in Ramlila at Dewan Mandir. Om Parkash has performed as Sita. It is pertinent to add here that during those days, the female characters were also performed by male actors as females were not allowed to perform by their parents. But now-a-days females are very much active in all spheres of life and stage is also one of them. At every stage female characters are played by female actresses which makes the performances even more lively and captivating.
One interesting fact about start of Ramlila at Billu Mandir is that once younger performers could not get an opportunity to perform at Dewan Mandir, a very prestigious platform which was preoccupied with senior actors. When these aspiring performers discussed their agony with their elders, they were inspired to stage Ramlila at Billu Mandir and henceforth another big and prestigious platform came into existence that offered much desired platform to aspiring artists. It is also said that when some of the artists did not get roles at Dewan Mandir, they decided to stage Ramlila at their own at Rani Talab now called Rani Park in open that gained much prominence as the locale was flooded with audience whereas there were certain restrictions on entry at Dewan Mandir. It shows the passion of artists to perform and carve a niche in art arena.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that Ramlila was the only platform for the local artists to quench their thirst for art. All the artists who have proved their worth in all other mediums of expression like Radio now called Aakashwani, Doordarshan, stage plays and even films had first exposure through Ramlila stage only. It was not staged in cities only but was equally popular in villages where the preparations started well in advance and all associated with Ramlila whether on stage or back stage, were much dedicated and devoted to accomplish their task with perfection to make almost a week-long festival a huge success. At the end of every day, the performances became talk of the city or village. There used to be a competition between the performers performing different characters in Ramlila on different stages with a will to establish dominance as a performer so that more audience should be derived to watch their Ramlila. Such was a passion in the past.
Now, if we cast a look at Ramlila being staged at present, it seems that traditions are being followed but if experiments are not made then monotonous presentation loses the grip on the audience. It’s a fact that technical excellence and infrastructure like concrete stage and availability of other ultra modern tools has offered all glamorous look to the stage and live telecast like options on social media has made easy access to thousands, but the instinct that was the soul of such events is missing these days. It is sad to note that the enthusiasm shown in the past has started diminishing. At many places, particularly the remote areas the natives are losing interest in Ramlila. The internet revolution might have provided unlimited sources of entertainment but has given a certain dent to traditions also. Ramlila is a tradition that does not have entertainment the only angle but it’s related to our religious pride and cultural existence also. When the generation is ignorant about its traditions, then these get lost and it becomes a daunting task to revive them. It has to be understood and be taken care of.
I may recall that I was fond of watching Ramlila during my childhood. The characters in traditional costumes with beautiful headgears and colourful backdrop supported by huge curtains that changed with every scene fascinated me. The Persian style presentation and loud expressions backed with heavy voices impressed and inspired me to enact such characters particularly that of Ravana at home along with my friends. The way Ravana used to laugh loudly was our favorite segment that remained in memories long after Ramlila was over and the childhood memories of Ramlila still haunt me. The special items by standup comedians or skits used as fillers in between the scenes were favourite of all as these items succeeded in holding the nerves with continuous laughter erupting from the audience. Honestly speaking, same enthusiasm is lacking in younger generation and kids are not interested to explore childhood with their own participation in such festival like celebrations.
Many writers have penned down Ramlila in his own way but instead of staging a complete script of a single writer, every performing group compiles the scenes of their choices from different Ramlilas and then the compiled version is staged with all innovations and experimentation. Ironically, the groups usually avoid intentionally or inadvertently giving credit to the writers and the name of writer is not announced before or after the performance, which is in fact against the ethics and should be taken care of. If we talk of epic in our own mother tongue Dogri, then it needs to be added here that RAMAYANA has been translated in Dogri language by Shambu Nath whereas RAMLILA in Dogri, which is an original work of Padmashri Narsingh Dev Jamwal was published in 1987. It is quite appreciable that from this year Saraswati Dramatic Club, Billu Mandir, Panjtirthi, Jammu has started staging entire Ramlila in Dogri which is written by Late Hira Lal Verma. Other groups should also follow the same line as it will connect the performers with the audience easily, offer an opportunity to make use of folk element and serve a complete package having local flavor.
We have to accept the truth that Ramlila gives us an opportunity to connect with our roots and helps in building up character. It shows us that truth is beyond limit and it always prevails. The good forces will always dominate the evil forces thus inspiring all of us to step in right direction of Dharma as sin will result in making life a hell. The basic principles for living a content life are delivered through the stories of Lord Rama and leave an everlasting impression on the audience. The teachings of Ramayana are much needed in modern era, dominated with stress and strain and Ramlila inspires us to live a meaningful life having an inclination to our cultural roots. Ramlila has to instigate same spark of yester years for which the groups performing it have to realize that it is an ancient old tradition that needs innovation so that every year the audiences should feel an urge to watch it with all curiosity which will help in attracting more Ramlila lovers to the auditoriums or ground. The fillers used in between the scenes to cover time gap have to be interesting and packed with entertainment for which script writer and performers have to put an extra effort to feel the nerve of audience and serve accordingly.
Let Lord Rama bless and Ramlila inspire all of us to live a sacred life. Let me conclude with following famous shalok from Ramcharitmanas and seek blessings;
‘Jaa Par kirpa Ram ki hohi
To par kirpa karahi sab koi.’
What they say about Ramlila
“Ramlila is in fact the biggest acting Institute for any actor. Almost every actor has started with this epic enacted in the form of a theatre play having impression of Persian theatre. Dogri skits used in between the intervals and introduction of Dogra characters as an innovation offers all entertainment to audience. It is in fact a blend of devotion and entertainment which has suffered a set aback in modern times owing to dominance of mobile culture. Ramlila written by Jaswant Singh is very popular in North India but the clubs extract some scenes of their choices from Ramlila written by Jaswant Singh, Dwarika Prasad ‘Ufaq’, Radhey Shyam and Narayana Prasad Betab mostly and the compiled version was and is still staged. Although it is staged at all prominent platforms and in some of villages also but the excess mediums of entertainment have dominated the ancient old one.”
Padmashri Mohan Singh Slathia
Convener, Dogri Advisory Board,
Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
“Saraswati Dramatic Club, Billu Mandir, Panjtirthi Jammu was established in 1924. During those days Ramlila was staged on temporarily erected stage made up of bamboos and planks. In 1975, a permanent concrete stage was built and Ramlila became a prestigious platform for upcoming artists to explore their talent and build confidence to face the challenges of day to day life. Late Hira Lal Verma, who wrote Ramlila in Dogri language and also staged some scenes in Dogri remained Director of club till February 2023. Billu Mandir stage was again rebuilt to give a modern look and is updated now for using all new sound techniques and light equipment. From this year it has been decided to stage all scenes of Ramlila in Dogri language during Navratris. I wish to innovate and stage experimental Ramlila in Dogri by using local costumes instead of traditional ones and also will try to highlight the acting skills of performing artists. The mission behind same is that I love my mother tongue Dogri, I feel proud of being Dogra, speak Dogri without hesitation and encourage my children to speak Dogri.”
Anoop Verma
Director Saraswati Dramatic Club, Billu Mandir, Panjtirthi, Jammu
“It was early 1960 when I was young and people from surroundings used to come in huge numbers to watch Ramlila at my village Gurah Slathia. The actors rehearsed for 2 to 3 months well in advance and worked a lot on their costumes, craft, make-up and singing skills so as to give a well acclaimed performance of their respective characters. But these days owing to short-cut culture the artists don’t have time and aspire for instant fame without putting in efforts which affects the overall presentation. Although we have modern techniques but hard work is missing.”
Janak Khajuria
Veteran Actor & Director
“I started performing as Lord Narsingh in Ramlila for Kailash Natak Club, New Plot Jammu about 50 years ago and then performed as Dashrath and Ravana at Dewan Mandir and Billu Mandir which are two most popular platforms where Ramleela is staged for more than a century now. It’s a matter of concern that there is no dearth of audience but certainly the younger lot of generation is not keen to step on Ramlila stage and continue the ancient old tradition with same instinct. Young actors should come ahead and contribute in continuing with our customs which are our cultural heritage.”
Madan Rangila
Veteran Actor
“I have been performing role of Laxman and Vishnu for the last more than 20 years at Dewan Mandir. It’s a fact that in the past people were more enthusiastic to watch the stories of Lord Rama through Ramlila but now that passion seems missing owing to flood of entertainment content thanks to Internet revolution. I think we should be more concerned for our traditions because these are our roots and must work for survival of same.”
Subhash Jamwal
Senior Actor
“I have been doing theatre for the last so many years now but from the day I have started doing Ramlila with Shri Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj, Dewan Mandir Jammu, I experience a different feel because directing Krishan Leela and Ramlila is altogether a different experience and words fall short to express same. If we compare the enthusiasm of audience then I think it is decreasing with the time which should be a concern for all of us.”
Rajinder Kumar Narang
Senior Actor
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