Allahabad: Not just tazias, this Muslim artisan also prepares Ramlila effigies with equal gusto

PRAYAGRAJ: Nisar Ahmed, now 62, was 12-year-old when he started helping his father prepare and decorate effigies during Ramlila. He found the job very fascinating and inspiring. 50 years on, Nisar, guided by the spirit of composite culture, continues to do the job with same enthusiasm.
This year, he completes 50 years of his association with city’s oldest Patharchatti Ramlila committee and wants to serve it till his last breath.
Nisar, who always believed in promoting brotherhood, has set an example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of Sangam city.
“I started working with Patharchatti Ramlila committee at the age of 12 and used to assist my father Basir Ahmad in preparing and decorate chowkis (tableaux). I had a brief stint as a painter with 4PAC, Dhoomanganj but then realized that I was made for different things. It was then that I decided to dedicate my entire life to Ramlila,” said Nisar. He added that “A dedicated team of six members is now working overtime to prepare and colour all effigies related to Ramlila on or before September 25.”
His work involves making life-size effigies of deities, Ravan’s chariot, traditional weapons like gada (mace), bow and arrow and swords. Even at this age, the master craftsman does his work as skillfully as he used to do it in his youth.
Spotted working on the effigy of Lord Hanuman and Ravan’s chariot on Monday, Nisar said: “Preparing and maintaining effigies for Ramlila and Dussehra gives me immense gratification.”
A resident of Chowk area, Nisar also prepares tazias for Muharram. “This is my ancestral work and is perfect example of communal harmony,” he said. Nisar and his team starts working on effigies about a month before the beginning of Ramlila and have a busy schedule till the last episode.
“The entire month is very hectic for all our artistes, technicians and workers, but all of them get inner satisfaction and peace by doing their job sincerely and gracefully,” he said. Rajiv Gupta, joint secretary of Patharchatti Ramleela committee told TOI: “Nisar’s journey with city’s oldest Ramleela is incredible as he has been preparing effigies for the committee since childhood. Nisar is also responsible for their yearly maintenance.” Nisar’s assistants Vinod, Arjun and Subhash claim that Nisar is completely devoted to his work and gets the best out of them.