Ramlila is one of the biggest annual events in Natadol – a dramatic reenactment of the Ramayana staged over ten days. The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the religious traditions, cultural heritage, and vibrant community spirit of the region.
(In the role of Hanuman!)
The Ramlila venue was just a short walk from our property. Before the performances began, villagers in vibrant, colorful traditional dress streamed towards the venue, filling the evening with a festive atmosphere.
(View from the Ramlila’s location)
In this village, all the roles are played by males. No females take part on stage, though they do gather around to enjoy the show.
(A farmer dressed up as Sabri, an old lady from Ramayana.)
The actors are familiar faces from everyday village life – mostly farmers, shepherds, drivers, schoolchildren, and daily wage workers. Watching this diverse group come together to bring the Ramayana to life and uplift the spirits of the community is truly heartwarming.
(The farmer who has an apple orchard near my place, applies make-up to another farmer from near the stream, for the role of Ravana, the villain from Ramayana.)
A distinctive feature is that the entire performance is musical. Instead of prose, the story unfolds through poetry!
It’s a mix of Kumaoni and Hindi languages.
(His bright clothes with gold and silver seemed to be in unison with the clothes hanging around. )
One of the charming aspects of Ramlila in the hills is the lighthearted moments interwoven into the performance. No Kumaoni Ramlila would be complete without its troupe of jesters, whose comic interludes delight the audience and keep the festive spirit alive throughout the evening. Humor, jokes, and laughter are integral parts of the show.
(The joker duo)
In most parts of India, Ramlila is performed in the evenings and nights. However, here in the hills, these performances usually take place during the day.
Explore this collection for more of our stories, told through photographs – Photo Essays
Discover more from Maini's Hill Cottages
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.