New Delhi: Before Ravana goes up in flames at Delhi’s Ramlila grounds Tuesday, spectators at some venues will see his eyes roll, sword whirl and garlands glow, while his recorded voice delivers a message for the city. The symbolic strike of an arrow will set the stage for carefully choreographed sequences, with green crackers, recorded cries and fiery effects turning the demon king’s final moments into a spectacle.
“Ravana’s eyes will roll and appear to emit fire, while 11 garlands in different colours will light up one after another.
The sword in his hand will also whirl,” committee president Arjun Kumar said. He will then call out “Hey Ram, hey Ram” before being set alight, Kumar said. “I am burnt every year, but defeat Ravana within you too. Reduce pollution and traffic congestion,” the recorded message will say.
Publicity secretary Rahul Sharma said his garland will light up before the 110-foot Ravana is burnt alongside a 100-foot Kumbhakarna and a 105-foot Meghnad. “For around 30 years, we have also burnt a fourth effigy representing contemporary evil. A 221-foot Ravana effigy will be the main attraction at Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society’s 15th Ramlila in Sector 10, said its chairman and chief patron Akash Rajesh Gehlot.
“Sections of the garland will appear like separate beads as the paper burns away,” committee secretary Pradeep Sharan said. “Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are expected to be present,” he said. At IP Extension, where organisers said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would perform the dahan, Ravana’s face will move and flames will emerge from his eyes. Committee president Suresh Bindal said preparations were being conducted under the directions of PM’s protocol officers. This year, it will be counterfeit medicines and inflated MRPs,” Bindal said. “The true meaning of Ravana dahan is not merely burning an effigy, but taking a pledge to overcome arrogance, injustice and evil,” Gehlot said.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan is expected to attend Ravana Dahan. At Shree Dharmic Leela Committee, Ravana’s final moments will draw spectators’ attention to his neck. Once the arrow strikes his navel, the garland will become a focal point as parts of it start burning. Blinking eyes and flowing tears will mark Ravana’s final moments at Nav Shri Dharmik Leela Committee. Green crackers will accompany the dahan .