Massive turnout, spectacular performances of Raamleela hosted by IHC and SVCC

Massive turnout, spectacular performances of Raamleela hosted by IHC and SVCC

The Indian High Commission (IHC) and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Georgetown hosted a spectacular Raamleela performance on the lawns of SVCC last Thursday evening, just one day after Guyanese Hindus concluded the observance of Sharad Navaraatri and Vijayadashami.

The event which also marks the celebration Dussehra saw a massive turnout of local Guyanese Indians, Indian expatriates, Hindus, representatives of various Indian cultural and Hindu religious organizations, religious leaders as well as the Honorable Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ms. Gail Teixeira who at the time was performing the duties of the Office of Prime Minister of Guyana. Several members of the Diplomatic Corps were also present.

The High Commission of India to Guyana, H.E. Dr. Amit Telang addressing the gathering noted the long-term shared cultural, bilateral and diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of India while expressing his pleasure and gratitude for all those who made the effort to attend the Leela (play). The Raamleela which was narrated by the His Excellency Dr. Telang was followed by the burning of Ravana’s effigy which symbolizes the victory of good over evil; the conquer of ignorance with knowledge; and the philosophically the destruction of the base self with the divine self.

Raamleela has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2008. It is the live performance of the Raamayana Epic in a variety of ways including the use of songs, narration and dialogue. Raamleela, while it is rooted in the traditions of North India particularly in cities such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Almora, Satna and Madhubani, it has spread across all parts of India and the globe at large performed mainly during the observation of Dussehra.

At Thursday’s Raamleela, eight major episodes capturing the main plot of the Epic Ramayana were acted primarily by staff of the IHC and SVCC decked captivating costumes amidst glistening stage illumination. These were: the birth of Lord Raama, Seeta Swayamvar, Raam’s exile, Shuparnakha scene, Seeta Abduction, burning of Lanka by Hanumaanji, Raam and Ravana Yudh, the fall of Ravana and Raam’s return to Ayodhya with Lakshmana and Seeta.