Final curtain call: Chamba artiste dies on Ramleela stage

Chamba’s cultural fraternity was left stunned on Tuesday night when senior stage artiste Amresh Mahajan (73), fondly known as Shibu Bhai, collapsed and died during the annual Ramleela at the historic Chaugan ground.

Mahajan, who had played the role of King Dasharatha for nearly four decades, was performing in the Sita Swayamvar scene when the incident occurred. Moments earlier, he had responded to a dialogue from sage Vishwamitra with the words: “For you, I can even sacrifice my life.” Seconds later, he slumped onto a fellow actor’s shoulder, leaving cast and audience members in disbelief.

He was immediately rushed to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, where doctors declared him dead, citing a heart attack as the likely cause.

A resident of Mugla locality, Mahajan had been associated with the Shri Ramleela Club for over 40 years. Widely respected for his powerful portrayals of both Dasharatha and Ravana, his performances were a highlight of Chamba’s Navratri celebrations, drawing thousands each year.

“This is an irreparable loss. Shibu Bhai was not only an artiste but the pride of our stage. Ramleela will never be the same without him,” said Swapn Mahajan, president of the Shri Ramleela Club, while announcing suspension of the remaining shows as a tribute.

Club member Sudesh Mahajan called him “the heart of Ramleela,” recalling that he had announced this would be his final year on stage.

Mahajan’s passing has deeply affected the town’s festivities, silencing a voice that had been central to Chamba’s Ramleela for over four decades. His legacy, however, lives on in the tradition he helped nurture and the generations he inspired through theatre.