Effigies shrink as public turning festival private

Ludhiana: The city is choosing to celebrate Dussehra by burning small, readymade effigies of Ravan in its neighbourhoods instead of attending crowded public fairs. Unique selling propositions of convenience and safety have made this colourful local-market item of cardboard and paper a hit product.
Surinder Kumar, a shopkeeper from Haibowal, claimed that these smaller effigies, priced between Rs 50 and 2,500, were in high demand because families now preferred private celebrations in their colonies.He said: “We’ve sold more than 50 effigies this year. The customers buy firecrackers separately for the burning.” Ashok Kumar, a fellow effigy seller from Daresi, said: “The dummies come in sizes ranging from 2 to 7 feet. Earlier, children made these at home, but now the market is full of ready-made options, and it’s a good way to generate income.”
Explaining how community celebrations have become the norm, Manoj Kumar of Civil Lines said: “Almost 15 to 20 households chip in to buy the effigy and some crackers. It’s safer for the children and brings the neighbours together for sharing sweets and quality time.” While some of the families still visit Dussehra grounds to admire the tall Ravan effigies and cheer the burning down of evil, an increasing number now prefer to stage this effigy burning in their own localities in the evening.
Manoj Kumar said: “It is not safe to take kids to the Dusshera ground at the time of Ravan dehan due to extreme rush, and they won’t also be able to have a clear view of the spectacle, so we bring a small effigy of Ravan home and fill it with some green crackers so that the children learn the importance of this festival. But we do not also forget to take the children near the Dussehra ground in the morning time to pay their respects to Ravan, as despite all the evil, he had great knowledge.”