Ashok Vihar Ramlila getting the first prize for the best show in zone

NEW DELHI: On the last day of festive season that saw Navratra and Dussehra celebrations coming to an end, Dussehra Darpan, an initiative by Navbharat Times concluded with Ashok Vihar Ramlila Phase 1 getting the first prize for the best show in zone. Dussehra Darpan was launched by NBT in 2006 to judge the best ramlila in the Capital.

This year, the competition received more than 100 entries from all zones of Delhi. After shortlisting 12 ramlilas, the judges visited the shortlisted sites and ranked them on the basis of arrangement, security and theatre performance. Film director Madhur Bhandarkar, ex-NSD director Ram Gopal Bajaj, actor Gajendra Chauhan, Radio Mirchi RJ Stuti and Pooja, classical dancer Nalini, Kamalini and Komla Vardhan, TV journalist Pankaj Pachauri and ex-Miss India Asia Pacific Teena Chatwal were among the judges.

Ashok Vihar Ramlila Commitee was adjudged the best ramlila in the zone in the city. The committee that organized it got an award and a memento from NBT. Main feature of the Ashok Vihar ramlila was staging Mahender Nagpal, officiating president of Ashok Vihar Ramlila Committee said that computerised and megasound effects are being used along the lines of the televised serial – Ramayana to give original touch to the Ramlila this year. He emphasised that while staging Ramlila scenes, fog, clouds, lightening, thunder, storm and sea waves have made the epic play appear real, in addition to laser lighting and grand fireworks.

The Ramlila is also organising grand Janak Bazaar mela. Apart from various food and other stalls, joy rides, Rajasthani folk dance, puppets and long man (walking on bamboo poles) are the other attractions this year. According to Lalit Garg, mela pradhan, the concept of ’Janak Bazaar’ was conceptualised many years back by this Ramlila and now the trend is being followed by various other Ramlilas in Delhi. “Every year such melas not only provide an opportunity family get together but these also depict the rich cultural heritage of our country.”

Vijay Goyal, former minister and Hari Shankar Gupta, consultant, Ministry of Urban Development were among the prominent guests who attended the second day of Ramlila celebrations.Mr jayaswal also attended the show.

Gopal Goel, general secretary, Ashok Vihar Ramlila committee said that entire Ramlila is being staged alongwith the traditional Ramayana chaupaiyan. According to him, people al all ages have lot to learn from the lessons of Ramayana – the great Indian epic. “This year the entire Ashok Vihar Ramlila is also being webcasted through internet for the first time and can be accessed globally on popular demand” he added.

According to Mahendra Nagpal, officiating president, Ashok Vihar Ramlila committee “Today, when television and multiplexes are becoming very popular, it is heartening to see that thousands to people find time out of their busy schedules and come to see Ramlila with their families everyday."