15 October,2010 09:04 AM IST | | Vatsala Shrangi
That's because Ram Leelas, this year, have been decked up differently to attract foreign tourists who're touring the Capital due to the Commonwealth Games
While everyone was thinking that the glitter of Commonwealth Games would squeeze the shine out of the Ram Leelas, the meet-up has rather helped the later to wear an all new make-up.
How? Read on to know.
Firangi chaal-dhaal
For instance, the Ramlila pandals infront of the Red Fort have separate sections to accommodate foreign tourists. Also, the all-time loud Ramlila shows that usually have a group of flashy female performers dancing to the tunes of a third-grade orchestra setting have graduated to decent local bands. International cuisines are another highlight at the venues. Even if you can't manage to attend the shows, you can watch the videos later on social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.
Bolo ram ram
21-year-old Deepak Verma, a B.Com final year student of Rohilkhand University plays Ram in the Navyug Ramlila. The Muradabad resident who's an aspiring actor and loves music and late night parties is now enjoying his on-stage stint as Ram. "I just enjoy playing the character. It is so much fun. As kids we would wait the entire week for that one episode of Ramayan on television. Though I grew up watching the epic, but never took it seriously. But now that I'm playing the lead character, I can relate to it. I feel cleansed," admits a shy looking Deepak.
Laxman is a tech freak
Rahul Sharma, a new-age kid who knows all the intricacies of an ipod, uses flashy mobile phones, is a Facebook freak and does not shy away from admitting having a girlfriend, plays Ram's younger brother Laxman. Rahul is a B. Tech graduate and works as a team leader with a telecom company. 24-year-old Rahul accepts that the role has brought him closer to the soul of the character and when he wear a yellow dhoti and carries a bow in his hand, he feels like a warrior. He says, "I have been playing Laxman for four consecutive years but still I feel that I am nowhere near the character. Laxman worships his elder brother and doesn't have an opinion on anything. I don't see such people in real life. But yes, I have developed a spiritual bent and I have started feeling that there's something more to me than just being a team leader." The green room is full of laughter.
Dus sir waale
You can see Ravan sipping on aerated drinks and sharing laughter moments with Sita. The man who plays the character is an engineer off-stage. Priyanka Sharma, in her early twenties, after attending her B. Ed classes rushes to the Red Fort Ramlila venue to rehearse her lines. When she is not busy playing Sita, she frequents malls and coffee houses.
