Photos: Meet the Ram, Ravana of Chandigarh who juggle the lilas of art and life
From a police constable to a gym trainer, meet these people on and off stage.
Chandigarh’s Ramlilas — dramatic re-enactments of the epic Ramayana — feature professionals from all walks of life who bring the memorable avatars to life on stage. HT lensman KESHAV SINGH brings you a glimpse into the lives of these men and women, on stage and off it.
RAM, SECTOR 17: Gaurav Bagga, 29-year-old, who works as a data entry operator at Haryana food and supplies department, defends the world against evil by donning the avatar of Ram on stage at the Sector-17 Ramlila. Before Gaurav, his father Surinder Bagga, who runs a boutique in Sector 22, used to play the role of Ram at the Ramlila.
SITA, SECTOR 20: 23-year-old Priya Rajput is no stranger to theatre, for she has acted in a Punjabi movie also. Rajput participates in theatre activities in the morning and plays the role of Sita at the Sector-20 Ramlila at night.
RAVANA, SECTOR 17: Chandigarh Police constable Ashwani Sharma, 46, plays the role of Ravana at the Sector-17 Ramlila. Sharma, who will be playing the role of the demon king for the 27th year this time, says he finds acting to be a relaxing retreat from his schedule.
LAXMAN, SECTOR 17: While 26-year-old gym trainer Saurav Sharma pumps iron and helps people manage their weight, he also puts in a weighty performance as Laxman, the protector to on-stage brother Ram at the Sector-17 Ramlila.
BHARAT, SECTOR 17: Rajesh Bagga, a 45-year-old tailor, gives the finest form to clothes at his shop in Sector 22, and also breathes life into Ramlila characters. For the last 25 years, Bagga has been playing various roles including Bharat, Surpnakha, Shravan Kumar, Shabri etc at the Sector-17 Ramlila.
