(Lko) Muslim artisan who works on Ramlila effigies

Ramleela effigy-maker blurs barriers through palette of harmony
Prayagraj Artisan Playing Key Role Since 20 Years
Kapil.Dixit
Prayagraj: The team of artistes is engrossed giving final touches to the effigies for Ramleela as the Sangam city is gearing up to celebrate Dussehra. Leading the team is an old man, whose wrinkled hands are deftly working on his creations in a fascinating way.
The amazing thing about the city’s oldest Ramleela is the fact that it hinges on this team, led by a Muslim man, Nisar Ahmad, who has been preparing effigies for the Patharchatti Ramleela Committee since 2002 and is also responsible for their yearly maintenance.
Nisar, found working on the effigies of Lord Hanuman and demon queen Tadaka on Sunday, told TOI, “This art of effigy-making is my ancestral work, which, in fact, is an extraordinary example of communal harmony and brotherhood in the Sangam city.”
“I have been making and maintaining effigies of all the prominent characters of Ramleela for the last 20 years,” he added.
We are a dedicated team of 40-50 people, including carpenters and electricians, who work tirelessly to make Ramleela a grand show, said Nisar.
“We get huge inner satisfaction from working on these Ramleela effigies as this gives a message of humanity and communal harmony” he added.
From a life-size effigy of Lord Hanuman to beautifully decked chariots and traditional weapons, the 63-year-old and his team are an integral part of one of the oldest Ramlila celebrations in Prayagraj.
Nasir, a resident of Chowk, has one assistant Ravi Kumar who has been working with him for the last many years.
“I worked as a painter with 4th Battalion PAC, Dhoomanganj, for about two decades and then one day decided to dedicate my life to Ramleela,” says Nisar.
Interestingly, Nisar also prepares Tazias for Muharram.
“We start working on effigies about a month before the beginning of Ramleela and have a busy schedule till the last episode,” he said. “The entire month becomes very hectic for all our workers, but we get inner joy and peace by doing our work sincerely and gracefully,” he added.