Artisans make masks, devotees to recite Ramcharitmanas in Ramnagar

Varanasi: As the cloud of uncertainty hovers over staging of even the symbolic Ramlila of Ramnagar due to Covid-19 pandemic, the devotees have explored a new way to become a part of this world-famous event and skilled artisans have even started preparing masks of Ramlila characters for the same.
This year, a small group of devotees will go to Ramnagar and recite Ramcharitmanas just to maintain the centuries old tradition of Ramlila in Ramanagar.
The idea of making masks was conceived by a Ramlila devotee and neurologist at Banaras Hindu University Prof Vijay Nath Mishra, who also belongs to the family of the mahant of famous Sankat Mochan temple established by the poet saint and author of Ramcharitmanas Goswami Tulsidas in 16th century.
“The Ramlila is in our soul. Even if the Ramlila is not staged this year, we will go there (Ramnagar) and recite Ramcharitmanas to maintain the centuries old tradition,” said Mishra adding that the masks will be used to play Ramlila characters by the devotees themselves. He further added that the masks would also be sent to the Ramlila groups in foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Russia and others.
These colourful masks are being made of paper pulp by a group of artisans led by Rajendra Kumar Srivastava. A set of masks consists of masks of Ramlila characters —Ram, Sita, Laxman, Bharat Shatrughna, Hanuman, Jamvant, Angad, Sugriva, Ravan, Kumbhkarna, and Vibhishan.
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the month-long Ramnagar Ramlila, patronized by the erstwhile royalties of Kashi, will not be held this year. “It is also not clear whether it would be possible to stage a symbolic Ramlila in the fort, as Maharaj Kunwar Anant Narayan Singh is in Delhi after being tested positive for coronavirus infection. Any decision in this regard would be taken by him only after his return from Delhi,” said a senior member of Ramlila committee.
Traditionally, the Ramlila begins on the Anant Chaturdashi and continues for 31 days. It is staged under the open sky with Ramnagar fort in the backdrop using only traditional lamps and no sound system. The characters of Lord Ram and his siblings are played by young boys. Preparations for the traditional event begins weeks before the commencement. The opening day of the Ramlila witnesses the jhanki of Kshir Sagar in Ramnagar Pokhra (pond), where Lord Vishnu is shown lying on Sheshnaag Shaiiya with Goddess Laxmi sitting near him.
The Ramlila draws a large number of devotees from the city and nearby areas as well as foreigners. The Ramlila is not confined to a place, but the entire Ramnagar town turns into a big theatre with a number of stages named after the major sites of the Ramayana like Ashok Vatika, Panchavati, Janakpuri, and Lanka.