A 150-YR-OLD CELEBRATION OF RAM LEELA BACK IN ACTION

S the dusk sets in, chants of 'Jai Sri Ram' fill the air at Jagannathpada in Balangir town.

- BALANGIR

After a round of prayers at the local Ramjee Mandir, artistes of Ramjee Natya Sansad dressed as various mythological characters gather at a corner of the lane to showcase Ram Leela – a tradition that was preserved by their forefathers over a century back.

Leading them is 70-year-old Balamukunda Behera, who is the director (Natyaguru) of the 50-member Natya Sansad that stages Ramayana in a dramatised form for 21 days beginning Ram Navami in the Hindu month of Chaitra. The essence of the epic remains the same and it has all elements of theatre — colourful props, music, dance and drama.

Legacy of Ram Leela The tradition of Ram Leela was started in Ramjeepada, close to Jagannathpada, 150 years back under the patronage of the Balangir royalty. "The then king wanted something that would entertain people after a long day of work. That is when Ramjee Natya Sansad was roped in to showcase Ram Leela at the old Rajbati (Balangir palace). It was not only the source of entertainment but also an exploration of Ramayan's teachings for people," said Behera who is the second generation Natyaguru. The venue moved to Sailashree palace when former chief minister of Odisha late Raja Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo became the king.