Rama’s story: Retelling the Ramayana through a musical production in Gurgaon

Witness an enchanting musical, Ramleela that will be staged in the Millennium City. Alongside theatrical performances there will be fun-filled activities to indulge in.

Have you ever thought about getting transported to places straight from the Ramayana? Head to Gurgaon this weekend, and experience Ayodhya and Lanka recreated on the stage, and Rama’s Vanvasa in progression.

A two-day musical Ramlila is being staged in Gurgaon this weekend, and will conclude with Ravana Dahan on the eve of September 30.

Presented by Radio Nasha, this theatrical production of the Ramleela, is a two-day musical extravaganza that will conclude with Ravana Dahan on the eve of September 30.

Divided into four episodes, this narrative is presented to the audiences in an innovative, engaging and entertaining manner, replete with chaupaiyan (verses) from the Ramayana. The first two episodes will have the dramatisation of Sita’s swayamvar and her harana (abduction). The third and fourth episodes will showcase Lanka Dahan (where Hanuman sets fire to Lanka) and the final battle between Rama and Ravana that symbolises the victory of good over evil.

“Ramayana ki iss yug mein bahut zaroorat hai. Maryada Purshottam ki leela mann mein utaarne wali hai (Ramayana is very important in this era. The learnings from Lord Ram’s life must be imbibed in our lives, too),” says, Sanjay Sharma, director of the musical.

“One of the episodes will be set in the Ashok Vatika, where Lord Hanuman went in search of Sita. In the fourth episode, Angad will go to Ravana as the Shanti Duta (messenger of peace), and return with Ravana’s mukuta (crown). It has been very difficult to put together an otherwise 11-day Ramlila into a few hours, but we have tried to put in our best efforts,” Sharma adds.

Portraying the role of Lord Ram, will be 19-year-old Abhijeet Singh Rajput — a student of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University. “Playing such an epic character is a challenge in itself. One’s demeanour, way of speaking and walking needs to be in sync with nature of the Lord himself; for which we have been rehearsing round the clock. What is the reason behind Ram’s avatar (incarnation)? Why was there a yuddha (battle) between Rama and Ravana? To understand the pertinent lessons behind these stories from Ramayana, youngsters must watch Ramleela,” says Rajput.

Apart from the musical performances, there will be plenty to indulge oneself. One could go for a ride on the giant wheel, shop at the flea markets, gorge on delicacies at the food court, get clicked at the photo booths while dressed up as characters from the Ramayana, meet artists who will stage the performance, soak in the radiance of the lantern garden, and get henna applied at designated stalls.

So, be there to enjoy it all!

Catch It Live

What: Ramleela - The Musical

Where: Ambience Island, Gurgaon

When: September 29-30

Timings: 3pm; Ravana Dahan at 8.30 pm on September 30

Nearest Metro Station: Guru Dronacharya on Yellow Line

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