Lucknow: Emotional performances depicting the Panchvati episode, the abduction of Mata Sita and Jatayu’s sacrifice captivated audiences on the third day of the 34th Ramleela celebrations at Sector-A, Sitapur Road Yojana Colony, Lucknow, on Sunday.
The five-day festival opened with an aarti to Lord Shiva, setting a devotional tone for the evening. Through expressive acting, powerful dialogues and compelling stage performances, the artistes brought several key episodes from the Ramayana to life, including the Panchvati sequence, the killing of Khar and Dushan, Sita’s abduction, Jatayu’s death, Lord Ram’s meeting with Hanuman, the friendship between Ram and Sugriva, and Bali’s death.
The Shurpanakha episode was among the notable highlights. Using graceful dance movements and expressive gestures, Shurpanakha attempts to attract Lord Ram, who politely directs her towards Lakshman. When Lakshman also rejects her advances and her behaviour becomes aggressive, he cuts off her nose. The performers effectively conveyed the changing emotions of the episode, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
When Ravana learns of the humiliation suffered by Shurpanakha, he becomes furious and devises a plan to abduct Mata Sita through deception. The enactment of Sita’s abduction transformed the atmosphere into one of sorrow and anguish.
Lord Ram’s distress upon discovering that Sita was missing, his desperate search for her and his expressions of separation deeply moved the spectators, with several visibly emotional during the performance.
The subsequent Jatayu episode highlighted the values of duty, courage and sacrifice. Jatayu’s fierce struggle against Ravana in an attempt to protect Mata Sita emerged as a particularly poignant moment of the evening.
The meeting between Lord Ram and Hanuman brought a contrasting note of devotion and surrender, while the alliance between Ram and Sugriva conveyed a message of trust, friendship and mutual support.
The performances received an enthusiastic response from the audience, with the artistes’ portrayal of the epic’s emotional and dramatic moments keeping spectators engrossed throughout the eve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
