New Delhi: Gen Z will be among the focus areas as Delhi’s Ramlilas prepare to return with a mix of tradition, technology and new ways of engaging younger audiences. From Tulsi saplings and towering effigies to immersive sound-and-light productions, organisers are combining spectacle with efforts to introduce youth to the values at the heart of the Ramayana .
At Madhavdas Park, Red Fort Grounds, Shri Dharmik Leela Committee is preparing to present its 103-year-old Ramlila in a modern format while retaining the traditional Ram Katha.
Committee spokesperson Ravi Jain said the presentation would evolve without losing its cultural essence. They should understand what he stood for and how he always upheld truth,” he said. New staging elements and an expanded range of cultural and religious programmes are being planned to connect younger viewers with Indian culture. “Our aim from the beginning has been to introduce the youth to the life and character of Lord Ram.
Committee president Arjun Kumar said Tulsi saplings would be distributed to 5,100 youngsters. “The Ramlila, scheduled from Oct 11 to 21, will feature a high-tech digital production and performances by around 40 Bollywood actors. Its production will involve nearly 150 performers, expansive stages, arches, LED screens and a meticulously mapped sound system.
On Dussehra , an image of Lord Ram will be created using one lakh diyas,” Kumar said. The basic concept remains unchanged, but we improve its presentation every year,” said Narendra Chawla, the committee’s general secretary. “The narrative begins with Lord Shiva recounting Ram’s story to Parvati and returns to them during Ram’s coronation, completing the circle,” Chawla added.
Also at Red Fort Grounds, Lav Kush Ramlila Committee is placing Gen Z at the centre of its ‘Ghar-Ghar Ram, Ghar-Ghar Tulsi’ campaign. It will also be telecast live. Shri Ram Lila Committee Janakpuri, meanwhile, is experimenting with theatre-like technology. “The person in the first row and someone in the last row will hear the performance with the same clarity. Based primarily on the Ramcharitmanas, the script also draws on other texts and depicts lesser-known episodes.