New Delhi: Actor, singer and Parliamentarian Manoj Tiwari will portray the character of Kevat in this year’s Luv Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort grounds, adding a musical dimension to the traditional episode featuring Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman.
Luv Kush Ramlila Committee president Arjun Kumar said Tiwari has played several characters in the annual production over the years and will appear as Kevat at the committee’s request. The sequence will feature him singing as he helps Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman cross the river.
The organisers plan to enhance the presentation with artificial intelligence, computer graphics, animation, digital technology, projection mapping, visual effects and an eight-track digital sound system.
The committee has also announced initiatives aimed at connecting younger audiences with Indian traditions. Under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, the invitation material carries the message “Ghar-Ghar Ram, Ghar-Ghar Tulsi”, while 5,100 Tulsi plants will be distributed among members of Gen Z. On Dussehra, the organisers plan to create an image of Lord Ram using one lakh lamps.
Tiwari thanked the organisers for giving him another opportunity to participate in the Ramlila. Recalling his long association with the tradition, he said he had been involved in Ramlila performances since childhood in his village and had previously played characters including Parshuram and Angad.
The Ramlila will be staged from October 11 to 21, 2026, with Dussehra scheduled for October 20. On October 9, school students from Delhi-NCR will present the complete Ramayana at the venue under the Luv Kush Ramlila and International Ramlila Mahotsav Association.
Committee general secretary Subhash Goyal said the main proceedings will begin on October 11 after Ganesh Puja conducted according to traditional rituals and Vedic chants by scholars from Vrindavan, Mathura and Delhi. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is scheduled to perform the ceremonial inauguration. The festival will conclude on October 21 with Bharat Milap and Lord Ram’s coronation.
