'Ramlila a bigger draw than Games'

Organisers of the age-old stage show claim they would draw more people than CWG

Lord Rama's shadow is looming large over the Commonwealth Games.The organisers of one of India's largest religious festivals are confident that their show would give the Commonwealth Games a run for its money.


Matters of faith: A hoarding of Lav Kush Ramlila near the Red Fort in
New Delhi on Tuesday. PIc/Rajeev Tyagi

Some of the biggest Ramlilas of north India are organised in Delhi. However, in the run-up to the ten-day stage shows, that dramatise the life of Lord Rama, there have been apprehensions that with the Commonwealth Games going on in the city, the Ramlilas might not get as many viewers as they used to.

But the organisers are not impressed. According to them, Lord Rama will always remain the biggest draw in India.

"Who plays Games? Games are for kids. What does it mean to us? The religious sentiments and the festival connected to it will always prevail above such insignificant Games. I watched it on Television. India's opening ceremony was nothing in comparison to that of Beijing's Olympics. The firework display at our Ramlila is much better than what they showed in the Games' Opening Ceremony," said Vishwanathan Gupta of Dharmik Lila Committee, organiser of the 90-year-old Parade Ground Ramlila.

With the Games remaining stuck in the accreditation issues and confusion over ticketing the attendance at the events has remained thin so far.

The Ramlila organisers also poked fun at the Games by saying "they missed deadline on each and every project, we are ready with everything in time."

The famous Parade Ground and Luv Kush Ramlilas have been shifted to the grounds in front of the Red Fort this year. The main Ramlila ground at Delhi Gate has been closed for the stage shows as construction on a parking complex is on.

"This year, due to heightened security in the wake of the Games, there would be fewerfood stalls, swings and other charms of Dussehra festival," said a member of the organising panel of Shri Ramlila Committee.