In this Ramleela, Salman and Arbaz play Ram-Lakshman
Muslim family has organised Ramleela for three generations
LUCKNOW: A Muslim family in Lucknow has been organising Ramleela for three generations in the city’s Bakshi Ka Talab area. Spreading a message of communal harmony, this Ramleela was started back in 1972. Both Hindus and Muslims participate in the ‘epic play’ and portray various roles such as Lord Ram, Ravan and Lakshman among others.
“This Ramleela was started in 1972 and since then, both Hindus and Muslims have been a part of it. I started working on it when I was 13 years old and since then, I have been a part of it,” said Khan who has been directing this Ramleela since 1990.
Sabir Khan, who also plays the role of Dashrath, said many of his family members are playing different characters since ages. “We do not miss rehearsals and actively participate in the Ramleela,” he said.
His two sons, Salman Khan, 20 and Arbaz Khan, 18, have been playing Ram and Lakshman for many years now. The duo never misses any chance to spare time to play the key roles in Ramleela despite their busy study schedules.
“Both Salman and Arbaz are pursuing B Sc, but this is one time when Ramleela is priority. Not just Ram and Lakshman, Muslim artistes play other key roles including Ravan, Janak etc,” added Khan.
Sabir’s another son, Sher Khan, plays the character of Janak.
The Hindu-Muslim bond of Bakshi Ka Talab’s Ramleela dates back to 1972. “People of Bakshi Ka Talab would go to Itaunja to see the Ramleela. Right since the beginning, Hindus and Muslims together played the roles of Ramleela characters and thus the epic play was organised,” said Nagendra Singh Chauhan, a member of the organising committee.
Communal differences could ever affect the Ramleela, said Sabir who joined Ramleela at a young age while playing Jatayun.
In this long journey, Sabir has played Hanuman, Sugriv, Kumbhkaran, Ravan and many other characters. “The message was clear for everyone – nothing can affect our bond and our Ramleela here,” said Chauhan.
There have been times when Ramleela continued without any problems during Ramzan. “There have been seasons where Ramleelas would be on and as soon as the time for iftar happened, the Ramleela stopped for some time and the characters offered their namaz on stage and had iftar. And after this, the Ramleela resumed. Not to be surprised, the audience sat silently waiting for the iftar and namaz to be over,” said Sabir Khan who claims that he has read the Ramayan many times.