The centuries-old tradition of staging Ramleela, a folk enactment of Lord Ram’s life to celebrate victory of good over evil, has undergone major transformations under the shadows of COVID-19 pandemic this year.

From broadcasting the Ramleela on online platforms to downsizing the audience from thousands to only a hundred to follow social distancing norms, the annual event starting from October 16-17 in various parts of Chandigarh will be different sans huge crowd, VIP visits and speeches. To stem the spread of COVID-19, the new practices put in place this year include use of thermal scanners and hand sanitizers for visitors at the entrance, mandatory wearing of masks for audience and artists, sanitization of costumes, jewellery, other accessories and premises on a daily basis, no use of smoke weapons, reduction in number of artists, ban on selfies with the artists and online broadcast of Ramleela.

With the Chandigarh Administration giving approval to various organizers to hold Ramleela in the city, many organizers have geared up to stage it from October 16 onwards. However, there will be no Dussehra celebrations this time.

The famous Ramleela with a revolving stage in Sector 29 here will be broadcasted online while at Sector 17 Parade Ground, which draws huge crowd every year, both on-stage live performance and online telecast is being planned.

“This is for the first time in last 53 years that there will be no on-stage live performance at the famous Ramleela ground with a revolving stage in Sector 29. Due to pandemic, we have recorded the play and will telecast it on YouTube and Facebook for half an hour every day,” said Jyoti Bhardwaj, Director, OCF Sanskritik Manch, Sector 29 while talking to The Pioneer.

He said, “It would not be possible to keep a check on number of visitors and ensure social distancing as a large number of people gather to watch Ramleela at Sector 29 every year. Hence, a decision was taken to go online this time. Also, there will be no Dussehra celebration this year and effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna would not be burnt on the concluding day of the annual event.”

Suresh Bakshi, Director, Sector 17 Ramleela Committee said, “The staging of Ramleela in Sector 17 will be entering 67th year this time. As only 100 people will be allowed to watch the live performance this year, we have decided to telecast the Ramleela on YouTube and other social media platforms as well.

The visitors will not be allowed to meet or take selfies with the artists. Also, instead of more than 500 chairs placed every year, only 100 chairs will be placed at the ground keeping in view social distancing protocol.”

We are also exploring the option of online bookings to restrict the number of audience at the ground.

As far as celebration of Dussehra is concerned, we have not yet got permission for this, he added.In Chandigarh, the organizers have been directed by the Administration that only 100 people will be allowed to attend the event, and seats will have to be placed within six feet distance. If there is any violation of the rules, the organisers of the Ramleela will be booked under the Disaster Management Act.

As Sector 30 Ramleela staged by Badrish Ramleela Kala Niketan will be entering its 61st year amid COVID-19, Director Sumit Rawat said, “Ramleela is known for visual delight for beautiful attires and glitzy performances. The artists perform for the audience but the ten-day event will be held sans huge crowd this year.”

“From sanitizing premises, tents, costumes, jewellery, appointing volunteers to ensure that the safety protocols are followed at the venue, a slew of measures have been taken in view of the deadly virus,” he said. Pradeep Kumar, Director, Navyug Ramleela & Dussehra Committee, Sector 7 said, “As permission was given too late by the local Administration, we have got only two days for rehearsal and have cut down the number of artists to 35.

 We are also facing funds crunch because of additional expenses due to safety measures and less collection of funds due to COVID this time. This would be for the 41st year when we will be organizing the Ramleela at Sector 7 here.”