Ravana to burn a hole in pocket while going up in flames

Kanpur, Sep 28: Petroleum products, eatables and trendy outfits are not the only things whose prices are skyrocketing this season.

Sending Ravana to his doom with firecracker-filled effigies during the climax of the Dussehra festival would also burn a hole in the pocket while filling the evening sky with a burst of stars and thunderous explosions.

Gone are the days when Ravan'a effigies used to be available at an average price of Rs 12,000. Raza Hussain, a craftsman, says for making a 72-feet effigy, at least Rs 50,000 is required besides several days of hard labour.

The raw materials comprise two quintal of paper, canes, one quintal wheat flour, 5 kg paint, 80 kg 'sutali' and coloured paper. At least 15 labourers are needed to craft a single effigy.

Besides the payment, Ramlilla committees also give rewards to craftsmen, he added.

With the passage of time, the attire of most of the characters have also changed to make them more attractive and colourful.

Earlier, the main characters were usually shown wearing a dhoti, but with the demand from the viewers, Ramlilla committees had to go for the rich silk drapes, sources said.

Even the traditional costumes of Hanuman and Jatayu have changed with the times. The famous 'gada' (mace) of Lord Hanuman is now lightweight and made of cheap metal unlike in the past when it was fabricated in brass.

However, the organisers make it a point to spare no expense in bringing in the latest innovations and technology into Ram Lila.

UNI