Delhi's Dussehra shows socio-cultural affinity

Delhi's Dussehra is not about religion or caste, but about socio-cultural affinity. In several places Muslims are as much a part of the Ramlila and they participate in the celebrations with equal gusto as their Hindu counterparts.

The bond between Ram and Rahim is much more visible in the bylanes of the Walled City. While several Muslim families make a beeline at night to watch the Ramlila on the Red Fort grounds, children are seen buying miniature bows, arrows and mace. Even vendors selling these toys are from both Hindu and Muslim communities knowing they can earn good money during the limited 10-day sale.

Vasudev Captaan of Shri Dharmic Ramlila Committee said: "Since the venue for Ramlila is very close to a mosque near Red Fort, during the festive season the two communities exchange sweets and pleasantries. Ramlila is a joint effort and a means of livelihood for many."

"The bond between the Hindu-Muslim community here is so strong that several Muslim visitors come to see Ramlila. Lots of them even ask me for passes for their friends and relatives," Vasudev said.

Ameem Qureshi is one such 15-year-old who has been witnessing the Ramlila at the Red Fort grounds for the past four years.

A resident of East Delhi, Ameem says, "There is something so unique about the joint celebrations here that I wish to spend evenings amidst my Hindu brethren."

The capital is one such place where the message of unity is spread without making a fuss about it, added Vasudev.

In fact, in the Ramlila organised by Vasudev, there are a couple of Muslim workers who help erect the stage. The entire troupe is from outside the state. The artistes are chosen from Natak Mandalis in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. They are groomed for a few months before the performance. Moradabad has 15-20 such teams that perform every year in the capital.

The artistes are well educated including computer literate students having done Masters of Arts and PhDs. Although belonging to different castes and class, they celebrate all the festivals of the Hindus.

Dussehra may be the same old routine clash between Ram and Ravana, but its fervour refuses to die. Armed with bows, arrows and mace youngsters try to replicate an era where good wins over evil. Most of them have not read Ramayana but have watched the mythological serials on television to know that Ram, Lakshman and Hanuman fought with Ravana, the evil king with 10 heads.

An interesting inclusion in this year's celebrations was that of Tihar inmates. People serving prison term were playing the main roles of Ram, Sita and Ravana. The Ramlila is held in prison premises in the afternoon as according to prison rules, no celebrations are allowed during the night.

Although the accent still is on traditionalism, big money plays a big role with corporate sponsorship. For the first time a couple of Ramlila's had gold plating on Ram's crown. Says Rakesh Gupta of Shri Ram Lakhan Dharmic Sabha, "For the first time in our Ramlila, crowns worn by the characters have been made of pure silver."

In view of the perennial threat to the national Capital from certain terrorist outfits, elaborate security arrangements were made for the celebrations in the nearly 689 Ramlilas organised in the city.