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Ramlila, the enactment of the story of Lord Rama is believed
to have been started by great saint Tulsidas. The Ramcharitmanas, written
by him, till today forms the basis of Ramlila performances. In some
places, Ramlila is associated with the Vijayadashmi celebrations, in late
September and early October and also with Ramanavami, the birthday of Lord
Rama.
Ramlila,
basically an enactment of a myth, is presented as a cycle-play with the
story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Ram Lila peformance evokes a festive
atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It also rich in
performance crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and
decoration.
The main Ramlila styles are the pantomimic style with a predominance of
'jhankis' - tableaux pageants; the dialogue -based style with multi -
local staging; the operatic style with draws its musical elements from the
flok operas of the region and the stage Ramlila of the professionals
troupes called "mandalis".
CHITRAKOOT RAMLILA
Celebrated for five days every year in the last week of February at Chitrakoot,
beginning from the Maha Shivratri day. It is believed that during the
Bharat-Milap, and important lila, Ram himself manifests in the person
playing Rama. Thousands of people watch this enactment with tears of joy.
VARANASI RAM LILA
The Ramlila festival (October-November) is celebrated with great fervour
at Varanasi. Jhankis and
pageants depicting scenes from the life of lord Rama are taken out. Some
of the episodes of the Varanasi Ram Lila are witnessed with great
interest.
Ramnagar, 15 km. from Varanasi presents the Ramlila started by the
erstwhile Maharaja of Kashi in the most traditional style. The
performances lasting for 31 days are marked by detailed dialogues and
impressive enactments. Hundreds of sadhus called 'ramayanis' come to
Ramanagar to watch and recite the epic.
Permanent structures are built and spaces designated to represent the
main locales of the story i.e. Ashok Vatika, Janakpuri, Panchvati, Lanka
etc., transforming the whole township into a vast Ramlila ground. The
audience moves along with the performers with every episode to the next
locale. To maintain the austere character of the Ramila, electric lights,
mikes and loudspeakers are not used, though the average audience is rarely
less than ten thousand.
ALLAHABAD DUSSEHRA
Allahabad Dussehra is
marked with the unique procession of beautifully decorted "chowkis"
accompained by Ramdals every evening, that are taken out from different
localities, from four days preceding Dussehra.
RAMLILA AT AYODHYA
Ayodhya is popular for
mandali Ramlilas. The performance is dialogue, based and presented on a
platform stage, high standard of performance is complemented by songs and
kathak dances and eyecatching décor.
KUMAONI RAMLILA
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show all over
Kumaon. Various Ramilas are enacted depicting the story of lord Rama's
victory over the demon king, Ravana. The Almora
Dussehra procession is unique with huge effigies of gods, heroes and
demons paraded through the streets.