Breaking the stereotype: Women artistes take centre stage in Ramlila

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 17 

Gone are the days when staging Ramlila, which meant presenting Indian epic Ramayana on stage during Navratras, was an all-men affair as only males played the role of various characters. Now, girls, too, are an integral part of Ramlila. 

Breaking the stereotype and what can be described as a first in Punjab, the role of female characters of Ramayana are being enacted by women artistes at the Ramlila in Jaurian Patthian Chowk. 

“Ramlila has always been a male-dominated theatrical piece. Courtesy, director Mohan Kamboj, who turned the tables here at Jaurian Patthian,” said women artistes.

The organisers and the director of Ramlila feel that they should respect time. “The change is the call of the present time. Therefore, people have accepted it,” they said. 

“My only condition to work as a director for Ramlila was that female characters would be played by women artistes only. Initially, I faced a lot of backlash from the people, especially oldies. But, I convinced them by citing achievements of women, including going into the space and flying jets. If women can do all this then why can’t they play role in Ramlila?” said director Mohan Kamboj, a well-known theatre artiste of Punjab. 

Anjali Sharma, who is pursuing her masters in classical dance from a women’s college in Patiala, is playing the role of Sita. “It was an exciting experience for me to play a role in Ramlila. When I worked for the first time in Ramlila in 2015, I had no knowledge about Ramayana, but now I understand each dialogue,” said Anjali.

“As a female theatre artiste, I have played many roles in my career, but I had never got a chance to act in Ramlila. I feel lucky that I got the opportunity here at Jaurian Patthian,” said Karamjit Kaur, while sharing a similar experience. She plays the role of Mata Kaushalya in Ramlila.

“My grandfather used to take part in Ramlila at Jaurian Patthian. Ramlila was discontinued at this place from 2001 to 2014. But then I strongly felt that we should re-start it and with the cooperation of the people we were successful in our endeavour,” said Varun Jindal, an organiser of the Ramlila.

“Ramlila is being organised by Jaurian Patthian Royal Youth Club and with help of director Mohan Kamboj,” he added. 

“A majority of Ramlila characters are being enacted by professional theatre artistes, but all are working for free,” he said.