Stage set for 67th edition of dance drama ‘Shri Ram’

Published by

Tahir Bhat

October 10, 2023 4:08 pm

Stage set for 67th edition of dance drama ‘Shri Ram’

Artistes at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is looking forward to another edition of ‘Shri Ram’, an annual Ram Leela staged by the institution. The 67th edition of the ‘Shri Ram’ will start from October 15, 2023 till November 5 at the Kendra lawns, Copernicus Marg. The play is created by Shobha Deepak Singh, Director and Vice Chairperson of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra.

Based on the Indian epic ‘Ramayana’, ‘Shri Ram’ was first produced in 1957 as ‘Ramlila’ and since then, has been staged every year for a month during the festival of Dussehra.

It is created and designed in the distinctive dance-drama format of the Kendra, and is one of the most popular Dussehra events in the capital.

The two-hour long production involves dance styles ranging from Bharatanatyam and Kalariyapattu to Mayurbhanj Chau and folk dances of North India, with rhythmic music based on Hindustani classical ragas.

“The production comprises 28 scenes, encapsulating pivotal moments from Rama’s birth to his marriage with Sita, his exile, the abduction of Sita by Ravan, and the ultimate triumph over evil with Rama’s Rajyabhishek,” Shobha Deepak Singh said.

She informed that Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in the Government of India, will inaugurate the Ramlila.

She highlighted the transcendent power of art. She described SHRI RAM as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, uniting audiences through the mediums of dance, music, and drama.

Speaking passionately about Shri Ram, Shobha emphasised the significance of every movement in the performance. She noted that each gesture carries the weight of centuries of tradition and the beauty of India’s cultural heritage, connecting audiences to their roots and shared history.

She referred to it as a celebration of India’s heritage, a tribute to ancestors, and a precious gift to future generations, encapsulating the essence of cultural continuity and artistic legacy.

Tickets for the show are priced at Rs. 3,000, Rs. 1,500, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 500, and Rs. 300, and can be purchased both online at BookMyShow and at the Kendra office.

When: 6.30 pm to 9pm; October 15,2023- November 5

Where: Kendra lawns, Copernicus Marg New Delhi

Tahir Bhat

Tahir is the Chief Sub-Editor at Patriot and hails from north Kashmir's Kupwara district. He holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir. His previous stints in the field of journalism over the past eight years include serving as online editor at Kashmir Life, where he covered a range of political and human-interest stories. At Patriot, he has expanded his focus to encompass the lifestyle and arts scene in Delhi, even as he has taken on additional responsibilities at the desk. If there’s news about Kashmir in Delhi, Tahir is the person to turn to for perspective and reportage. Outside of journalism, he loves travelling and exploring new places.