Lucknow: The 61st Ramlila Festival organised by the Shri Ramlila Samiti, Mahanagar, began on Wednesday with Ganesh Puja and Mangalacharan. The opening day witnessed captivating performances depicting the birth of Lord Ram and the slaying of demoness Tadka, drawing enthusiastic responses from the audience.
Samiti general secretary Hem Pant said the opening day featured several episodes, including the dialogue between King Dasharath and Sage Vashishtha, the birth celebrations of Lord Ram and Sita, Tadka Vadh, Ahilya Uddhar and the Pushp Vatika episode.
The atmosphere came alive as the devotional song “Janme Ram Raghurayya, Awadh Mein Baaje Badhaiya” accompanied the celebration of Lord Ram’s birth, prompting cheers and applause from the audience.
The portrayal of Tadka by Kritika Srivastava, marked by her powerful laughter and dramatic exchanges with Lord Ram, held the audience’s attention. Lord Ram ultimately killed Tadka with a single arrow, enabling the sages to perform their sacred rituals without obstruction.
Yashi Lohumi played Lord Ram, Falguni Lohumi portrayed Lakshman, Kunal Pant appeared as King Dasharath, and Manish Upadhyay played Sage Vishwamitra.
Earlier, Samiti president Lalit Mohan Joshi, chief convenor Deepak Pandey Dinu and other office-bearers inaugurated the seven-day festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
