New Delhi, Oct 19 From raising the burning issue of air pollution by setting a Ravan effigy ablaze, or torching a giant dummy cockroach symbolising ‘filth’, Dussehra events across Delhi this year promise a contemporary twist to the age-old tradition.
At the Luv Kush Ram Leela, the ‘Ravan Dahan’ (burning of Ravan) will feature a dramatic sequence in which the effigy screams “Hey Ram” after being struck by Lord Ram’s arrow, followed by a monologue urging people to confront the evils within themselves, organisers said.
“Every year, I burn. But this time, burn the Ravan inside you,” the monologue will go, urging people to overcome arrogance, while also drawing attention to issues such as Delhi’s traffic and air pollution, said Arjun Kumar, president of the Luv Kush Ram Leela Committee.
The organisers have introduced several new features to its 110-foot Ravan effigy this year — the sword in its hands would rotate, and its eyes would appear to be burning, while 11 garlands of 11 different colours would add to the majesty of the straw demon-king stuffed with firecrackers.
The effigy will be accompanied by a 100-foot Kumbhkaran and a 90-foot Meghnath, organisers said.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan is expected to attend the Ravan Dahan ceremony at the Luv Kush Ram Leela as chief guest.
At the Dwarka Shri Ram Leela, organisers are combining traditional festivities with digital initiatives and ‘environmentally-conscious’ measures.
The event will feature 90-foot effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath, said Bharat Bhushan Malviya, a core-committee member and media head of the Dwarka Shri Ram Leela.
“We have organised a green and digital Ram Leela this year. The performances were streamed live on social media platforms, and for the first time, we introduced an app and digital ticketing for visitors. One could call it India’s first digital Ram Leela,” Malviya said.
The organisers have also planned to use green crackers during the celebrations, he added.
President Droupadi Murmu would grace the Dussehra ceremony at the Dwarka Shri Ram Leela.
On the other hand, the Shri Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, has planned to burn a 30-foot effigy of a cockroach alongside those of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath.
The cockroach is intended to symbolise filth and dirt, with the initiative aimed at spreading awareness about cleanliness and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, organisers said.
Ashok Goel, president of the committee, said the move is not politically motivated and is intended to convey a message about the triumph of good over evil and the importance of cleanliness.
“We have done this in previous years as well. We have also burnt effigies representing Naxalism and terrorism,” Goel told PTI.
At the Indraprastha Ram Leela Committee in Paschim Vihar, a fourth effigy, titled ‘Aaj Ka Ravan’, will be burnt alongside those of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath as part of the committee’s annual tradition of highlighting social evils.
Sandeep Bindu, president of the committee, said the effigy would represent the manipulation of generic medicine prices and the sale of counterfeit drugs.
“Drug prices are being inflated to such an extent that an ordinary person cannot afford them. On top of that, there is a risk of someone buying medicines that are not even effective,” Bindu said.
As Delhi prepares for Dussehra, Ramlila committees across the capital are putting finishing touches to their arrangements, with several politicians and prominent public figures expected to attend events at different venues on Tuesday.
(PTI News)
