Ramayan competition to be held in Raigarh’s Ram-Leela Ground from June 1 to June 3

Artists from all over the nation and the world will participate in the event

Special program on themes centred on the Aranyakand

Kelo Aarti and group chanting of Hanuman Chalisa to be performed

Raipur, TNINS

In accordance with the special initiative of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel and on the lines of the National Tribal Festival, a three-day National Ramayan Festival is being organized in Raigarh from June 1 to June 3. Preparations are in full swing for this event organized by the Culture Department. Foreign artists, along with artists from various states of the country, are being invited to the program. These artists from India and all over the world will perform a unique presentation of Ramayan on the land of Chhattisgarh.

     Chhattisgarh shares a profound bond with Lord Shri Ram. It is believed that Lord Ram passed through the forests of Dandakaranya, which include parts of forests in Chhattisgarh. Keeping this aspect in mind, special programs with themes centred on the Aranya Kand will be held during the festival. According to the information obtained from the officials of the Culture Department, artists of Manas Mandali coming from various states of the nation will perform in the Ramayan Festival from 2 pm to 6 pm, whereas artists of Manas Mandali arriving from foreign countries will perform from 8 pm to 10 pm in the event. Kelo Aarti and group chanting of Hanuman Chalisa will also be performed during the program, along with "Deepdan" in large numbers.

 The officers of the Culture Department said it is the first time that the department is organizing the National Ramayan Festival on a grand scale in Raigarh’s Ram Leela Ground. The Manas Mandali groups participating in the event will be awarded. The first, second, and third prizes have been decided as Rs. 5 lakh, Rs. 3 lakh, and Rs. 2 lakh respectively. This will be a unique initiative on the national level by the state government to preserve the culture of the state.

 It is noteworthy that the story of Ramayan has been written in many languages and performed in many countries. The Ram Leela Ground in Raigarh will now stage the beautiful presentation of Ramayan. There has been an unbroken tradition of Ram Leela in India. When the legend of Lord Ram is presented in the form of a festival, a large number of people will be able to benefit from the story of Ramayan. The presentation of the story of Lord Ram in the form of a festival will educate people about the ideals of Lord Ram.

        The Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas Ji is quite popular and widespread in Chhattisgarh. Through the Ramayan Festival, viewers will get a glimpse of the ideals of Lord Ram from the various versions of the Ramayan, ranging from Valmiki to Bhavabhuti. The Ramayan extends from the Tamil Ramayan of Kamban to the Bangla Ramayan of Kritivas. Additionally, many forms of the story are prevalent in South-East Asian countries as well. The Ramayan Festival will provide viewers with beautiful glimpses of the character and personality of Lord Ram.