In Rajguru Nagar, a family’s passion has sustained Ramlila tradition for 25 years

Even though Ramlilas have become a rare sight, one group known as the Pandey Ram Leela Samiti has been performing it for the past 25 years without fail in Rajguru Nagar here.

While some characters have changed, some continue to portray their roles even though they have started using recorded dialogues to perform on stage. Rehearsals for the event begin a month ahead of Dasehra celebrations. This is one of those Ramlila groups in the country that lets women play female characters. The group has 22 male and eight female characters.

Interestingly, most characters are played by the members of one family.

Ganga Prasad Pandey (65), a retired employee from PSPCL, who has been leading the reign for over two decades still actively ensure all arrangements are in place ahead of Dasehra. Pandey said he had performed the role of Lakshman for years and after he turned old, his brother-in-law’s son, Nandan Kumar Ojha, took over. “My family members have been performing various characters in Ramlila. My son Ram Anuj Pandey plays Ram, another son Bipin Pandey plays Meghnada, while my grandson Dhruv Pandey performs the role of Prahalad. Another relative Narinder Tiwari plays the role of Hanuman. While Angad is played by my brother’s son Deepak Mathur. In fact, all characters are played either by members of my family, relatives, friends or somebody in our community,” reveals Pandey.

Pandey said his son, who performs the role of Ram, lives in Partapgarh, UP, and specially takes time off from his teaching job to come to Ludhiana to take part in Ramlila.

Ram Krishan Shukla an accountant at a pharmaceutical company said he had been taking part in Ramlila since 1995. He did the role of Ram, Lakshman, Meghanad etc. He also remains a theatre artiste. “Now I have been extending my services as the director of Ramlila from years,” added Shukla.

Dhurav Pandey, a 10-year-old artiste, who was getting ready for his role as Pralhada when asked if he really knows who Pralhad was said, “Yes Pralhad was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, I know the entire story.”

Interestingly, Narinder Tiwari who is a priest at the Hanuman Temple near Arora Cut performs the role of Hanuman. “I have been performing this role for years and feel immensely blessed,” added Tiwari.

An advocate Jagdev Singh works as the make-up artist for the group. Jagdev was trained at the school of drama.