Dussehra: Kerala artists to perform Ramlila in Patna

PATNA: Residents of the city will not only witness ‘Ravan Vadh’ at Gandhi Maidan but also ‘jhankis’ this Dussehra.
The Sri Dussehra Committee Trust (SDCT) has decided to rope in a 22-member team from Kerala to play the roles of different characters from the Ramayana at Gandhi Maidan and different localities of the city to celebrate victory of good over evil.

SDCT secretary Arun Kumar said the effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad would be 75, 65 and 60 feet tall, respectively, this year.

The ten-day celebrations will start on October 10 and conclude with ‘Ravan Vadh’ at Gandhi Maidan and immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga on October 19.

One of the members of the organizing committee said over Rs 15 lakh, collected through donation and contribution, is spent every year to make massive arrangements for ‘Ravan Vadh’ ceremony at Gandhi Maidan. “The district administration looks after barricading, water and lighting arrangements,” he added.

Meanwhile, Patna DM Kumar Ravi has asked the officials concerned to set up a control room and erect watch towers at the venue to keep an eye on visitors. He has also issued instructions for proper frisking of visitors to avoid any untoward incident.

The DM has asked officials to deploy four ambulances in front of four gates of Gandhi Maidan. Authorities of three premier government hospitals in the city – PMCH, NMCH and IGIMS – have been asked to remain prepared to meet any eventuality. The electricity department has been asked to ensure that all high-mast lights at Gandhi Maidan are in working condition and there is no load shedding during Durga Puja.

The DM has also asked the Patna Municipal Corporation to ensure proper sanitation at Gandhi Maidan and various Ganga ghats in the city where the idols of Goddess Durga will be immersed.

Muslim artisans at work: Of the eight artisans making effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad at Gandhi Maidan this Dussehra, five are Muslims. The leader of the team, Mohammad Zafar of Gaya, is also a Muslim. “Our team of artisans is an example of the country’s religious unity. A Muslim individual has been leading the team for many years,” said Kamal Nopani, president of Sri Dussehra Committee Trust. The artistans said 350 bamboo poles, 350kg paper, 100kg strings, 70kg flour and 25kg paint are being used to make the effigies. Nopani said governor Lalji Tandon, CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi would attend the ‘Ravan Vadh’ ceremony at Gandhi Maidan on October 19.