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| Unique Ram Leela celebrations of Basohli | | | Shiv Kumar Padha
Love and interest of the people in the fine arts, miniature art, music, dance, drama and the intangible aesthetic sense is transmitted from one generation to the next generations. Perhaps it is the legacy which the people of Basohli inherited from the Rajas of Pal dynasty who ruled Basohli state for 1500 years. It is said that the virtues and the vices of the rulers of a particular state are reflected in the behavior of their subjects even after hundreds of years to come. Pal Rajas courts were always adorned by the Nav Ratans who came from all walks of life of the contemporary society. Apart from the welfare works for the subjects the Rang Mahal of the Basohli palaces always echoed with the long notes of the classical singers, thumping of Dholkies and the rattling of the gungroos of the dancers.
Owing to the facts, as discussed earlier, the natives of the town have been nurturing the invaluable art of music dance and drama for the last two centuries. Basohli people have been enjoying and playing theater and drama from the time when the big and developed towns of today were in infancy. According to the verbal and the written record made available to Ram Leela the celebrations of Basohli Ram Leela dates back to the early 20 th century when the teams, called Ras Dhariye, from around the neighboring towns of Punjab and Himachal Pardesh used to play Ras Leela openly within an arena defined by the strings and pegs. Inspired by the Ras mandlies the artists of the town started celebrating Ram Leela in a hall called Mandua at that time. During those days there was neither the facility of lights nor of PAS, as we have today. The pitch of the artists was so high that one could listen the dialogues and song of the artist from a long distance even.
Latest innovation, additions and improvements, in the presentation of the Ram Leela and make it unique in the country were made from time to time. As a result of the innovations the presentation of the Ram Leela started in the open ground having a vast capacity to accommodate large gatherings. Now, the Ram Leela was staged on five different stages instead of one as in the past. There were different stages i.e. durbars for Ayodhya, Lanka, Mareech Saroop Nakha, Sumeru Parbhat for Hanuman and Sugreeb and a vast space for the battles between the kings. The entry and the departure of the actors to and from the performing ground was signaled by the brass band deployed. The costumes and the decorations of the whole ground bears a brides look.
The presentation of the life like scenes during the celebrations add glory to the functions which attract large number of viewers from the adjacent states of Punjab and Himachal. The Sita swaynbar, Sita Mata birth while ploughing by Raja Janak, Falling of seven Taad trees by Lord Rama with one arrow, Mata Seeta Haran, coming down of Lord Hanuman from Akash Marg are the most charming and the mesmerizing presentations of the celebrations. The charactors performing the role of Ram Seeta, Ravan and others remain on ten days fast. Great emphasis is given on the maintenance of sanctity of the whole adjoining areas.
Like the sacred festivals of Eid, Diwali the sons, daughters, and the small children from Hindu and Muslim families hold their breath and wait for the Ram leela so that they can get an occasion of living with their relation. The children from both the religions get new clothes stitched specially for the celebrations. There is equal participation of Hindu and Muslim youth in the management and team of performing artists.
The Basohli Ram Leela is the only Ram Leela in the state which is recognized by the state cultural academy No.ADM-70/66-67/3789 dated 10-12-1966. The Ram Leela committee has got good assets in the shape of space, buildings, costumes and the hard cash which is donated by the people with smiling face. Basohli Ram Leela is lucky enough to have Sh. Prem Sagar Aziz, ex minister of Jammu and Kashmir, as president of the committee who has revolutionized and overhauled the whole system by his experience and dedication. He has steered the committee in the direction of progress and has added many new dimensions to the existing set up. With the inauguration of Atal Setu i.e, Bridge over river Ravi, Ram Leela committee expects a large number of viewers from the adjoining states. Keeping all this in mind The committee has planned for some additional programs of culture, folk dances and songs by different organizations, to supplement the celebrations. The state, the district authorities are requested to ensure full cooperation in the matters of security, maintenance of law and order during the Navratras. The different TV channels are also requested to give vast coverage to the celebrations. Since it is the function linked with the religious sentiments our coalition government should declare the Basohli Ram Leela as state festival at Par with the other celebrations in the state. |
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