Ramlila

The actors in the Dussehra procession have no fancy green rooms with teams of make-up and costume artists. They set up base in a modest guest house in Cycle Market in Old Delhi, and a single person gets to work on them.

This make-up artist is Shyam Sharma who single-handedly gets nearly 50 actors ready within a few hours. And he has been doing so since 1984. A music teacher and a linguist in Hindi rest of the year, he only does this voluntary work for 12 days with his briefcase of unbranded cosmetics. [continue reading…]

Tagged as: Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Diwali, Dussehra, festival, Hindu, Hinduism, Old Delhi, Rama, Ramayana, Ramlila, Ravana, religion

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I used to go to watch the Dussehra procession in Old Delhi as child; I must have last gone 25-30 years back. And when I went back this year, I could not help drawing comparisons between the versions I remember and the one I currently witnessed. Here are some key differences:

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The procession would earlier start at about 4 pm. It now starts at 6 pm. Reason given by organizers? The bulls that pull the floats would come in the morning itself earlier. And their owners would be happy with a tip of ten rupees. But they are very busy now carting goods, and even a few hundred rupees are not enough to entice them. So they come only after finishing their regular work. Yes, old Delhi still uses carts pulled by bulls, cows, horses and men to ferry goods. [continue reading…]

Tagged as: Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Diwali, Dussehra, festival, Hindu, Hinduism, Old Delhi, Rama, Ramayana, Ramlila, Ravana, religion

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Who are the actors and organizers participating in the Dussehra processions? And what motivates them to be a part of it?

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For one, most of them are not professional actors. They are students, businessmen and professionals who stop whatever they are doing for a fortnight to be a part of the festivities. No one is paid – it is all voluntary. In fact, many even end of spending out of pocket to pay for meals, refreshments etc. Some are newcomers, many old-timers. [continue reading…]

Tagged as: Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Diwali, Dussehra, festival, Hindu, Hinduism, Old Delhi, Rama, Ramayana, Ramlila, Ravana, religion

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No other festival in India is celebrated the way Dussehra is. It is celebrated in most parts of the country, and stretches to 10-12 days. You can witness stage performances of Ramayana, the story of Hindu God Rama, fairs, special prayer sessions and burning of the effigy of Ravana, the demon king slayed by Lord Rama. But few people know of the special procession that takes place in Old Delhi every year.

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I was lucky to witness this procession every year as a child – my mother’s family roots in old Delhi meant we could visit relatives, stand in their balconies and watch this procession go by. Returning to this event after over 25 years meant a lot of nostalgic memories coming back, even as all relatives have either moved out or I have lost contact with.  [continue reading…]

Tagged as: Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Diwali, Dussehra, festival, Hindu, Hinduism, Old Delhi, Rama, Ramayana, Ramlila, Ravana, religion

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