raniraja
September 9th, 2009, 09:02 PM
Just read this (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/This-year-a-feminist-Ramlila-in-Delhi/articleshow/4992861.cms)report..
This year, a feminist Ramlila in Delhi
Rumu Banerjee, TNN 10 September 2009, 04:16am IST
NEW DELHI: Ram could get upstaged in one of the oldest Ramlila productions in the city this year. In a departure from the norm, the Shriram The Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's Ramlila will explore Sita's point of view. (TOI Photo)
Bharatiya Kala Kendra, which has been staging the Ramlila since 1957, is giving the epic a feminist twist.
"Traditionally, Ramayana is the tale of Ram. He is both the hero and a revered deity. Somehow, everyone tends to forget that Sita is also part of the tale and not just a prop. She is the epitome of what it means to be a woman in society," says Shobha Deepak Singh, director and vice-chairperson of the Kendra.
That's the vision this year's Ramlila will showcase. Singh says the Kendra’s Ramlila has a brand-new script — a more elaborate role for Sita with emphasis on what she underwent since going into exile with her husband.
A significant change in script comes in the emblematic "Sita ki pareeksha" episode, where, in a 12-line soliloquy, Sita exhorts the earth to give up all its fire and envelope her so that she can show the world (and a sceptical Ram) her claim to chastity.
Not only that, the Kendra's production will show Sita go off with Ram but not joyously, as is usual in other Ramlilas.
"Our Sita understands her duty is with her husband but there is a trace of sadness, as she's going with a man who doubted her," says Singh.
The production will also have traditional martial arts like Chhau and Kalaripayattu and ethnic folk dance forms
If you know instances of Ram Lila depicting different interpretations, please share.
This year, a feminist Ramlila in Delhi
Rumu Banerjee, TNN 10 September 2009, 04:16am IST
NEW DELHI: Ram could get upstaged in one of the oldest Ramlila productions in the city this year. In a departure from the norm, the Shriram The Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's Ramlila will explore Sita's point of view. (TOI Photo)
Bharatiya Kala Kendra, which has been staging the Ramlila since 1957, is giving the epic a feminist twist.
"Traditionally, Ramayana is the tale of Ram. He is both the hero and a revered deity. Somehow, everyone tends to forget that Sita is also part of the tale and not just a prop. She is the epitome of what it means to be a woman in society," says Shobha Deepak Singh, director and vice-chairperson of the Kendra.
That's the vision this year's Ramlila will showcase. Singh says the Kendra’s Ramlila has a brand-new script — a more elaborate role for Sita with emphasis on what she underwent since going into exile with her husband.
A significant change in script comes in the emblematic "Sita ki pareeksha" episode, where, in a 12-line soliloquy, Sita exhorts the earth to give up all its fire and envelope her so that she can show the world (and a sceptical Ram) her claim to chastity.
Not only that, the Kendra's production will show Sita go off with Ram but not joyously, as is usual in other Ramlilas.
"Our Sita understands her duty is with her husband but there is a trace of sadness, as she's going with a man who doubted her," says Singh.
The production will also have traditional martial arts like Chhau and Kalaripayattu and ethnic folk dance forms
If you know instances of Ram Lila depicting different interpretations, please share.