October 2024

Bollywood star Shakti Kapoor inaugurated the sixth day of the grand Ramleela by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The performance was elevated by an incredible laser wall showcasing the “Lakshman Rekha” and digital sparks, creating a majestic ambiance. The historic Ramleela organized by the “Shri Ramkrishna Leela Samiti Tehri 1952, Dehradun (registered)” saw Shakti Kapoor as the chief guest, who was warmly welcomed on stage through a laser cave. On popular demand, he entertained the audience by delivering dialogues from his superhit films, and the crowd erupted in applause. The sixth day of the Ramleela featured the “Suparnakha Leela” and “Sita Haran” (the abduction of Sita). For the first time in Uttarakhand, the portrayal of the “Lakshman Rekha” with laser technology and digital sparks during Ravana’s crossing of the boundary mesmerized the audience. The scene depicting Sita’s abduction in a digital forest, complete with a hut, was extraordinary. Suparnakha’s dance also left the audience enthralled. The entire crowd was captivated by the innovative and technically advanced presentation. The performances of Ram, Lakshman, Ravana, Sita, and Suparnakha, combined with traditional songs and couplets, further enriched the experience. The Ramleela, first held in 1952 in Tehri, used to take place in the “Azad Maidan” until the town was submerged in 2002. After a gap of 21 years, the Ramleela was revived in Dehradun in 2023, with a special focus on laser shows and digital live telecasts, which reached a record audience of 1 million people. This effort has allowed Garhwal’s rich history to be brought back to life and provides an entertaining way for future generations to connect with their cultural heritage and Sanatan Dharma traditions. This year, the Ramleela will be broadcast via a digital live telecast system, with an expected viewership of over 5 million people, marking another milestone in Uttarakhand’s history. Key participants in the event included chief guest Shakti Kapoor, MLA Vinod Kandari, Ramleela committee president Abhinav Thapar, secretary Amit Pant, and other dignitaries such as Girish Chandra Pandey, Naresh Kumar, Durga Bhatt, Shashi Panyuli, and Guddi Thapliyal.