Ramlila in Urdu offers fresh perspectives, captivates audience

Tribune News Service

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, February 24

The spirit of syncretism and heritage came alive through the Urdu rendition of rendition of Ramlila in Urdu at the Urdu Heritage Festival.

The festival held at Sunder Nursery near Nizamuddin, Humayun’s Tomb, transported audiences into the timeless epic of Ramayana, offering a fresh perspective through the lens of Urdu language and culture.

As iconic scenes like ‘Sita Haran’ and ‘Ravaan-Angad Samvad’ were brought to life on stage, rich portrayal and linguistic flair captivated the audience. Actors, performing in a unique blend of Urdu and Hindi, mesmerised spectators with their emotive performances, adding a new dimension to the traditional Ramlila experience.

Meghali, a former student of Jamia, said, “This event is bringing together a diverse array of people and I’m thankful to the creative minds behind it. It was my first time witnessing Ramlila and was thoroughly impressed by the artists’ performances.”

Another audience member, Kaif, marvelled at the authenticity of the performance, particularly appreciating the inclusion of shayaris during the play.

“I’ve never seen Ramlila in real life before, so today’s experience was truly remarkable. The incorporation of Shayaris added an extra layer of beauty to the production,” he added.

The theatrical group Shri Shraddha Ramlila, helmed by director Anil Chawla, has a rich legacy spanning generations. Chawla revealed, “Our family has been involved in Ramlila since our ancestors’ time in Pakistan. After partition, we continued the tradition here in Faridabad and we travel to various parts of the country as well. None of our actors are professionals. We come from various walks of life, united by our passion for theatre.”

Vikas Sehgal, an actor in the production, highlighted the long-standing tradition of performing Ramlila in a mixture of Urdu and Hindi, dating back to before the partition.

Delhi Minister of Art and Culture Saurabh Bhardwaj also attended the event. He emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting Delhi’s composite culture.

“Urdu is a language that connects people and events like these are crucial in fostering a sense of cultural unity among our youth,” he said.

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