Muslims provide flaring climax to world famous Ramlila

Varanasi, Sep 20 (UNI) In a reflection of the deep-rooted communal camaraderie in Indian culture, Muslim craftsmen, for the past four generations have been providing flaring climax to the world famous Ramlila of Ramnagar here.

More than 50 Muslim craftsmen from Tirpolia Park (Lohari Tola) area in Ramnagar -- located across the Ganga river -- in pursuance with the secular legacy passed over by last four generations have been providing colourful flares to mark the daily climax of every episode of the 200-year-old Ramlila of Ramnagar.

The art has not remained confined to Ramnagar only, but also finds mention in a day-to-day description of the world famous Ramlila, compiled by resercher from University of California, Linda Hess.

''Every night's performance at the month-long Ramnagar's Ramlila culminates dramtically with the Arti -- a ceremonial worship of the divine characters, Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan known as Panch Swarups. The climax is reached when red and white flares are lit, bathing the tableau of deities in a brilliant light. This is regarded as the greatest moment for darshan or blessed vision of the gods,'' Ms Hess' work reads.

According to Jai Prakash Pathak, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the royal family of erstwhile Kashi Naresh -- the patron of 31-day Ramlila -- ''Without the Muslim craftsmen specialising in the art of Aatishbaji, the Ramlila staged under no electric light and sound will be incomplete.'' ''They are the ones who provide the flaring climax from the first day -- episode of Ravana Janma -- to the 31st day, marking the Kote Vidai which signifies the farewell of the five divine characters given by the royal family of Benares,'' Mr Pathak added.

Taking pride for their role of providing the climax to daily Ramlila staging, Jamil (50) the head of the craftsmen says without our skills the Ramlila of Ramnagar, which draws crowd from across the globe will never be complete.

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