It is the time of Shardiya Navratri and along with Shakti Puja, the stages of Ramlilas are also taking place across the country. The stage was newly decorated, crowded with people, a fair was being held, amidst the sparkling lights and beautiful decorations, Ram Lala was performing Baal Leela on the stage, where he was preparing to fold his bow, somewhere The devil is at work. In some places we witnessed forest walks and in some places we saw unique examples of brotherly love.
Shri Ram Beyond Boundaries
Shri Ram and Ramlila are so widespread that they transcend national borders and the globe and if the lessons of culture, civilization and dignity have to be learned not only in India but in all countries of the world then it is the first and perfect solution to this problem even today It is Ramkatha. This is why Ramlila is performed in many countries around the world and the interesting thing is that the artists involved are not necessarily Indians but local residents of these places.
Ramlilas created identities in many parts of the world
The ancient Indian epic Ramayana has created its own identity in many parts of the world. In Myanmar it is called “Thiri Rama”, in Thailand “Ramakien” and in Indonesia “Kakwin Ramayan”. This is not just the spread of Indian culture around the world, but a renaissance of global culture. From Russia to the United States, Ramayana is taking on new forms on various platforms.
Introduction of Ramayana in Russia: Moscow theater artist Baryshnikov Evgeny, who worked on a production of Ramlila, said the characters in Ramayana reminded him of Ilya Murome Russian heroes such as Ilya Muromets. He said: “In Ram, I see the shadow of our Russian hero. Indian mythology and Russian folklore have similar themes, such as the struggle between good and evil, and love for the motherland.”
Ramayana in the Soviet Union The first stage performance took place in 1960 at the Moscow Children’s Theater. Russian actor Gennady Mikhailovich Pechnikov co-directed the Russian translation and plays the role of Rama. He continued to play the role for 40 years and gained international fame. Before his death in 2018, Pechnikov adopted a vegetarian lifestyle in order to play the role of Ram. After his death, the Russian-Indian Friendship Association “Disha” organized performances of Ramayana to restore cultural ties. Last year, “Disha Ramleela” was also screened in Ayodhya.
Ramlila in the Caribbean: Ramlila remains an event of great cultural and religious significance in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. The tradition was brought to the Caribbean by Indian indentured workers between 1838 and 1917. Indrani Ramprasad, a fourth generation scholar of Indian and Ramayana traditions from Trinidad, distinguishes between two types of Ramleela – ‘lokadharmi’ and ‘natya’.
Trinidad and other Caribbean countries The format presented at Ramlila is largely ‘Leela’ or folk style, based on storytelling in a communal and open environment inspired by the Bhakti tradition. “People from the black and Muslim communities are also a part of these Ramlilas. This is not just a theater stage but a sacred place. The audience stays outside and there is no ticket system,” Indrani said.
Ramayana in Southeast Asia: In countries like Indonesia and Thailand, the introduction of Ramayana is not limited to Navratri. The Ubud and Udwatu temples in Bali host daily performances of the Ramayana, attracting tourists from all over the world. Professor Chokarda Putra of the Indonesian Hindu University, who is also a trained dancer, explained that in Thailand, the Ramayana is called “Ramakien” and is related to the artistic tradition of the Thai court. The Thai king of the Chakri dynasty was called “Rama”.
Sri Lanka Ramayana: Ramlila is rare in Sri Lanka, where most people practice Buddhism, but government-sponsored groups perform Ramayana in India. Ravana is considered a hero in Sri Lanka and the story of Ramayana begins with his prosperous reign. Kalpi Jayaratne from Colombo, who often plays the role of ‘Sita’, says she enjoyed playing the role of Mandodari as she is a strong and balanced character .
