Devotional performances, traditional music and elaborate stage settings highlight the second day of the historic cultural event
Almora: The historic Shri Nanda Devi Ramlila, one of the oldest and most celebrated Ramlila traditions in Almora and the Kumaon region, witnessed an impressive gathering of devotees on its second day. Held in the premises of the Nanda Devi Temple, the performances featured the Vishwamitra–Dasharatha dialogue, the Tadaka episode, the slaying of Tadaka and Subahu, the Maricha episode, the redemption of Ahilya and the worship of Goddess Gauri.
The programme was inaugurated by former Deputy Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Raghunath Singh Chauhan, former Almora Municipal Council chairman Prakash Chandra Joshi, former chairman of Almora Urban Cooperative Bank Anand Singh Bagdwal, and BJP state executive committee member and former district president Ravi Rautela. The dignitaries jointly lit the ceremonial lamp.
The evening began with a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shri Ram. Kavya Pathak presented a graceful dance performance depicting the divine persona of Lord Ram. This was followed by a Saraswati Vandana composed by senior theatre artist and poet Naveen Bisht and set to music by the late Mahavir Prasad.
Jeevika portrayed Goddess Saraswati, while Harshita Pandey, Manvi Bora, Neetu Mawari, Kanishka Pandey, Srishti Upreti, Vedanshi Goswami and Chhavi Pandey participated in the presentation.
Arjun Singh Bisht Steals the Show as Tadaka
One of the major highlights of the evening was the powerful portrayal of Tadaka by Arjun Singh Bisht, secretary of the Ramlila Committee and councillor of Nanda Devi Ward. His convincing performance earned enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Senior theatre artist Naveen Bisht played King Dasharatha, Rajendra Rautela portrayed Vishwamitra, Dron Negi played Lord Ram, and Aviral Joshi portrayed Lakshman. Murलीधर Kांडपाल appeared as Subahu, Sanjay Joshi as Maricha, Meenakshi Harbola as Ahilya and Kamakshi Pandey as Goddess Gauri. Young performers also portrayed the companions of Sita.
The musical arrangements were supported by Rajan Nayaal on the harmonium and Shekhar Si jwali on the tabla. Danish and Raju Sharma were responsible for the artists’ makeup. The ceremonial stage worship was performed by Tara Datt Joshi, chief priest of the Nanda Devi Temple, along with Jeevan Pathak.
The stage decoration team, comprising Atul Verma, Mahendra Bisht, Sandeep Sah, Rajkumar Bisht, Kavish Arora, Jagdish Bisht, Jagdish Bhandari, Lokesh Tiwari and Pant, created an impressive Dasharatha court and an elaborate setting for the Tadaka episode.
Behind the scenes, director Ganesh Mer coordinated the entry of performers, while Chandra Mohan Pargai played an important role in preparing the artists. Naman Bisht managed the live streaming of the performances on social media.
Rajesh Palni, treasurer Dhananjay Sah, Dinesh Joshi, Manvendra Sah, Sumit Sah, Varun Sah and Parikshit Sah helped ensure orderly seating arrangements for the audience.
Ramlila Committee president and Lala Bazaar Ward councillor Kuldeep Singh Mer, co-coordinator Sanjay Sah and Mahendra Bisht presented Ram Prasadi to the guests.
Among those present were Nanda Devi Temple Committee president Manoj Verma, vice-president and Almora Metropolitan Congress Committee president Tara Chandra Joshi, Ramlila Committee coordinator Prakash Pandey, and several other community representatives and devotees.
The enthusiastic participation of the audience and the dedicated efforts of the artists and organisers reflected the continuing cultural and religious significance of the historic Shri Nanda Devi Ramlila in Almora.
