Luminaries discuss relevance of Ramlila in modern times
Lucknow: Awadh especially Ramlila of Lucknow boasts of glorious history and cultural heritage. The message of social harmony and brotherhood goes along with Ramlila with the participation of different communities in Ramlila of Lucknow which is organized during Dussehra, that is why this Ramlila is also called the symbol of culture and social harmony of Lucknow.
Due to industrialization and urbanization in the changing environment, this Ramlila works to revive and preserve the family values that are being eroded. The message of the ideals and values that Lord Shriram had established in Tretayug is proving very useful in strengthening the family and social fabric today.
These views were revealed by the speakers in the discussion on Ramlila of Lucknow organized by Ayodhya Sansthan. Among the speakers were Prof. Surya Prasad Dixit, former head of the Hindi department of Lucknow University, culture activist Uma Trigunayat, senior journalist Pradeep Srivastava, retired program head of All India Radio Pratul Joshi and cultural correspondents of various newspapers.
Expressing views in the meeting, Prof. Dixit said that according to public opinion, Goswami Tulsidas had arrived in Lucknow. He had started Ramlila for the promotion of Ramkatha. He said that parts of Kathak tradition are also found in Ramlila of Lucknow. Kathak started with story telling. Later, along with Kathak, Ramlila started in Lucknow.
Uma Trigunayat said that renowned Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj had presented Tulsi Katha Raghunath through Kathak which became very popular. Pratul Joshi said that the mountain society of Lucknow has a deep connection with Ramlila staging. Classical ragas are prominently used in Ramlilas of Parvatiya society.
Pradeep Srivastava said that Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was a lover of Ramlila. He promoted this method. Alok Parankar, co-ordinator of the magazine Sakshi of Ayodhya Research Institute, said that the documentation of Lucknow’s Ramlila is being done. In this sequence, the special issue of Sakshi magazine is being brought out on Ramlila of Lucknow.
Roli Khanna said that Ramlila is now being transferred to the new generation. On this occasion, Sabahat Hussain Vijeta said that there has been a special contribution of the merchant class in the Chowk’s Ramlila. On this occasion, the Ramlila being played by the artists of Aishbagh’s Ramlila in special costumes was also mentioned. A touch of Punjabi language is found in the Ramlila of Alambagh.
Madhur Mohan Tiwari told that Ramlila of Khadra is performed by the people of Nishad family. A real boat is also used in this. Director of Ayodhya Research Institute Mr. Lavkush Dwivedi said that Ramayana Conclave is also being organized at various places. State’s Tourism and Culture Minister Mr. Jaiveer Singh inaugurated the Ramayana Conclave organized at several places including Mainpuri. He had given instructions to continue the Ramlila of Ayodhya, which was postponed during the Corona period, from April 02 last year.
