Delhi Ramlila

Understand

Where Delhi Ramlila comes from

Delhi has a long and rich Ramlila tradition, with the city's proximity to Ayodhya and the Mughal court having shaped the Delhi-Ramlila from the early 16th century onward. The most celebrated annual Delhi Ramlila is the Marigali Ramlila of the Dharmvir temple in the Dharmpura neighbourhood of Old Delhi, performed for more than 400 years (since the early 17th century) at the central grounds of the Ramlila Smarak. Other notable Ramlilas include the Lav Kush Ramlila (the 15-day performance of the Luv Kush Natak Samiti), the Subhash Maarg Ramlila, and the Ramlila performances of the villages of Mehrauli and the surrounding areas. The Delhi Ramlilas blend the Awadhi-language verse of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas with the regional Hindustani-theatre and the dance of the city.

How it's practiced

Delhi Ramlila is performed by troupes of men and women at the open ground of the Ramlila Smarak (the Ramlila Memorial) or at the courtyard of the regional Ramlila-samiti (the committee) in the month of Ashwin (September-October). The performance runs for 10-15 days, with the actors (drawn from the local community) playing the roles of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and the principal characters. The dance-and-combat sequences of the Ramayana are particularly well-rehearsed, with the day-by-day tradition following the sequence of the Ramcharitmanas. The dance is performed at the night of the Dussehra (Ravana-vadha) and the Ramlila day-by-day cycle. Music is the dhol, the shehnai, the dholak and the brass cymbals. Costume is the elaborate Ramayana dress — the crowns of the rishis, the armour of the warriors and the splendid dress of Rama and Sita.