The Ramleela Festival
Artists dressed in ornate crowns and costumes performed the Ramleela in front of cheering crowds as part of Dussehra celebrations. Ramleela is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu lord Ram.
The festival celebrates the defeat of the demon king Ravana at the hands of Ram, marking the triumph of good over evil. Performers dress up as different characters from the religious epic Ramayana.
Some artists are professional theatre actors, travelling from as far as Mumbai for this performance, and some are locals from the area. Actors that made up the army of monkey-god Hanuman were mostly children from the locality.
In scenes of jubilation, the crowd would shout “Jai Shree Ram,” or “Victory to Lord Ram.” Elderly devotees watched with reverence.
Ironically, the 10-headed demon king Ravana is most sought after for selfies with the spectators.
After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the celebrations climax in the Dussehra night festivities where the giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbakaran and son Meghnad are burnt, typically with fireworks.
Artists wait backstage for their scene during a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists apply make-up before their performances on stage in a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists pose for a portrait backstage before a final Ramleela performance as part of Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists practice their dialogue before performing a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists take a selfie before going on stage for a Ramleela performance as part of Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
An artist dressed as Hindu monkey god Hanuman, left, takes a selfie with artists dressed as demon king Ravana, centre, and Hindu god Ram, before a final Ramleela performance as part of Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists await backstage for their entry on stage to perform a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A volunteer, right, fumigates backstage as a boy dressed as a soldier of Hanuman, the monkey god, waits to perform in a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
An artist practices fire spitting backstage before the final performance during a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
People watch a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
An artist dressed as a demon poses before a traditional Ramleela performance as part of Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
An artist dressed as demon king Ravana waits backstage for his entry on stage to perform a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. Ramleela is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu lord Rama. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
People watch the burning of effigies of demon king Ravana and his son and brother in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Children enjoy a toy train ride at a fair ground during Dusherra festival in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Dussehra night festivities culminate with the burning of giant effigies of demon King Ravana, his brother Kumbakaran and son Meghnad. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
People watch a traditional Ramleela drama to celebrate the festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
People watch the burning of effigies of demon king Ravana and his son and brother in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. Ramleela is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu lord Rama. After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the Ramleela celebrations climax in the Dussehra night festivities where the giant effigies of demon King Ravana, his brother Kumbakaran and son Meghnad are burnt, typically with fireworks. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)