| Ranikhet |
A unique two-day Women’s Ramleela Competition is set to begin in Ranikhet from May 30 under the banner of the Cultural Committee Ranikhet. Women’s teams from different parts of the district will participate in the event and present various episodes from the Ramayana in a competitive theatrical format.
The competition aims to connect women with the rich cultural heritage of Kumaoni Ramleela and provide them with a platform to showcase their artistic talent.
According to Vimal Sati, the event will be held on May 30 and 31 at the Mission Inter College ground from 3 PM onwards. He described the event as a unique initiative for the town, where women artists alone will perform different Ramleela scenes and dialogues on stage.
He informed that five teams from the Ranikhet tehsil area and three teams from the Almora region will participate in the competition. Each team will present different episodes from the Ramayana through acting, dialogues, and traditional costumes.
The organizers stated that the teams securing first, second, and third positions will be awarded prize money and trophies. Separate awards will also be given for best acting, direction, and costume presentation.
Vimal Sati said that this is the first time such an event is being organized by the committee and that it marks a new and inspiring beginning. He added that women artists are highly enthusiastic about the event and have been rehearsing for weeks despite balancing household responsibilities and professional commitments.
He emphasized that the initiative is not only about preserving traditional Ramleela but also about promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. According to him, the objective is to boost women’s confidence and provide them with a stage to develop their acting and leadership skills.
Organizers believe that the event will become a remarkable blend of art, culture, and women’s pride. They also expressed hope that such initiatives would inspire younger generations to stay connected with traditional folk culture and theatre.
Local residents and art lovers have welcomed the initiative and praised the committee for promoting cultural heritage through women’s participation. Many believe the event will help revive interest in traditional Kumaoni Ramleela among the younger generation.
The Cultural Committee has appealed to citizens to attend the program in large numbers and encourage the participating women artists.
