Ramlila tradition kept alive for decades in Una

Rajesh Sharma 

While the traditional fervour once associated with Ramlila in different parts of the district, particularly in the rural pockets, has almost dwindled, the staging of the melodrama on the epic Ramayana has successfully continued in Una city for decades at the Ramlila ground, also known as the Parade ground.  

The tradition is kept alive by a group of about 20 highly motivated volunteers led by Una Ramlila Committee chairman Som Nath Sarraf. Two months prior to the start of Ramlila every year, committee members begin planning in a dingy room located in Sarai Suthri, a community building located in the congested old city area. A portion of the Sarai also serves as the store house for costumes, material used in processions and other paraphernalia. 

“A week before staging the shows, we take out a procession of characters on tractor mounted sets depicting Dashrath Darbaar, Ram Janm, Sita Swayamvar, Lanka dahan and Ravan vadh along with tableaus of various gods and goddesses,” says Som Nath.

“This year, from October 9 to 19, we organised the 53rd consecutive Ramlila in Una city,” said Avinash Kapila, the 73-year-old president of the committee, who became a part of the group in 1965 under the guidance of Som Nath Sarraf’s late father Sohan Lal. 

During these 50 odd years, Ramlila has witnessed many ups and down, he recalls, adding that there was a sharp decline in the audience for about five years after the famous TV serial Ramayana was aired in 1987 and 1988. 

Changing social behaviour, rising costs, influx of television and social media has resulted in the gradual loss of audience at Ramlila. Till about two decades ago, Ramlila organisers in different parts of the district used to compete with each other for name and fame and gone are the days when people would travel long distances on foot or bicycles to enjoy the late night shows.    

Better costumes and backdrops, improved sound and lighting systems, professional dialogue writers and artistes have helped revive the audience in Una city, said Rajiv Bhanot and Balwinder Goldi, two young associates of the committee.

The peculiarity of Ramlila in Una city is that two shows are staged, one in the evening and the other during night. In the evening, everyone from the costume designers to dialogue writers and characters are from the locality, while for the night show, professional artists from Vrindavan are being invited by the committee to perform.   

“Both shows attract around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators, but the type of audience at both is strikingly different. Night shows have serious and somewhat mature audience, more inclined towards getting into the theme of the melodrama, while the evening shows involve more of humour, enjoyment and excitement,” says Gopal Krishan Palu and Rajinder Jindu, who have been associated with the evening show for decades as artistes, costume designers and dialogue writers. 

Artists and audiences get hysterical during touching scenes in the evening shows, says Ranjider Jindu. “During scenes depicting Ram vanvaas, Sita haran, Lanka dahan and Ravan vadh, sentiments reach the peak as all get involved,” he says, adding: “At times, it takes hours for the artistes to come back to the normal state of mind. Local issues also form a part of the dialogue, bringing in humour.” 

Volunteers including shopkeepers, vendors, businessmen, school students and even government servants enact roles of different characters, he said.

Committee general secretary Subhash Sharma said they spend around Rs 15 lakh to conduct both shows, all of which is contributed by members of the local community. Naming a few, he said Chaman Lal Sambar, Avinash Kapila, Baba Sarabjot Bedi, Baba Bal and Rajinder Vashisth are a few people, who provide funds in the name of their forefathers.

“Ramlila provides a stage for social harmony as people from all sections of the society, irrespective of religion, creed, region, caste and political affiliations sit together in the pandal,” said Avinash Kapila. 

He said about 35,000 people gather at the Ravana dahan ceremony every year when the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Megnatha are set afire, giving the locals, an opportunity to meet, interact and rejoice. 

Sarraf said the committee members have resolved to request the state government to accord a ‘district-level fair’ status to the Una Ramlila since it has succeeded in inviting public participation in preserving and propagating our rich culture besides strengthening the social fabric.  

"Artistes and the audience get hysterical during touching scenes in the evening shows. During scenes depicting Ram vanvaas, Sita haran, Lanka dahan and Ravan vadh, sentiments reach the peak as all get involved. At times, it takes hours for the artistes to come back to the normal state of mind. Local issues also form a part of the dialogue, bringing in humour." — Ranjider Jindu, Associated with the Ramlila’s evening show in Una for decades as an artiste, costume designer and dialogue writer