Where Rahim brings in Ram

Muslim man behind Ghaziabad's biggest Ramlila

K Hasan, 62, brings home Lord Rama to hundreds of the Lord's followers every year.The retired railway engineer is the brain behind one of the largest Ramlilas in the Indirapuram area of trans-Hindon in Ghaziabad.


Matters of faith: also organises Janmashtami and
Guru Purab processions. Pic/imtiyaz khan

Despite opposition from some of his friends, Hasan has been organising Ramlila without fail from 1967. He is now one of the chief organisers and ensures that no stone should be left unturned in making the spectacle a treat to the followers of Lord Rama.

A pious Muslim who never forgets to say his praye'rs five times a day, Hasan says that contrary to public perception it (organising Ramlila) does not have any bearing on his faith.u00a0

He has never cared for criticism that came his way and he feels that Ramlila are a part of Indian culture and like all other Indians he is just following the traditions that have been handed down the generations.

"I have been a part of the Ramlila since I joined service in the Railways. Once my seniors asked me to look after the Dussehra celebrations of the Railways wing, I am a part of Ramlila festivities ever since," said Hasan, a graduate from Aligarh Muslim University.

Apart from Ramlila, Hasan also organises Janmashtami and Guru Purab processions.
"If we can observe Gandhi Jayanti, then why not Lord Ram's festival?" he asked.

This time the organisers have called a group of artistes from Moradabad to perform in the ten-day long show at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.