Continuing the legacy of Ramlila since 1916 (With Pix)

For the 98th year in a row now, the city's oldest Ramlila continues to enthrall audiences with some performers being associated with the event for over 30 years.
Some actors involved in enacting the story of Lord Rama's life first performed in 1916 at Sadar Bazar, the city's oldest market have been working with the Ramlila for almost 30 years.
Chhatra Dev, a carpenter who hails from Ballabhgarh has been associated with the city's Ramlila for the last 40 years, throwing in a bit of humour in his roles.
"I play the character of one of the members of Ravan's army or a member of some other gang and while the act is going on, I make people laugh with my comic dialogues," says Dev.

"When I was a child, I used to enact Ramlila in Ballabhgarh. Once, the management committee members of this Ramlila came there and saw my act, since then I've been associated with it," says Dev.
Set beside a temple, near the post office of Sadar Bazar, this Ramlila is registered and is managed by a committee of 42 members, says Amit Goel who plays the character of Lord Rama.

The origin and history of this Ramlila seems to be vague.
"There was a family who started it. Later, their brothers, cousins and friends whoever got associated with it began to handle operations. There isn't a single person to whom the foundation can be attributed but a combined effort of all members so far," says Goel.

A picture hanging on the wall of the greenroom seems to bind together most of the members with this Ramlila.
"He's our director Ustad Ishwar Dayal Goel whom we fondly call Lallu Ustad ji. I was 12 when he bought me here after the auditions. Initially I became a part of 'vanar sena', and then became Vibhishan, then Bharat and now I am Rama. I have been playing the character of Rama for the last 21 years," says Goel.
Most of the other members echo his sentiment.
"After him, Ustad Mukesh Goel, who often plays the part of Dasrath or Bali, has been directing us," says Vivek Singla, who plays the character of Lord Rama in his youth.

Members say they usually begin rehearsing for their act a day after Janmashtami and it continues for a month. Since most of the members are shopkeepers in Sadar Bazar and some others are students, they rehearse after they get over with their usual business.