The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ramlila goes hi-tech in Capital

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Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Ramlila goes hi-tech in Capital

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 15. The script and storyline remain the same; only, the staging has gone hi-tech. The ten-day-long Ramlilas that began across the Capital on Thursday not only tell the story of Ram and Sita from the epic "Ramcharitmanas'' but also give a glimpse of the country's emerging position in the field of computer software and information technology.

Computer-aided designs, laser technology and advancements in information technology are all being used in Ramlilas. While the Dharmic Leela Committee, which stages Ramlila at Subhash Maidan in Old Delhi, has erected a gigantic three-storey stage to provide a different visual impact of the various scenes from the epic, the Luv Kush Ram Leela Committee at Old Kotwali Maidan has made elaborate preparations for the "star-wars'' between the armies of Ram and Ravana.

"It is all automatic. We have developed a special software which will guide the laser arrows and give the impact of missiles hitting each other with a bang in the sky," said a member of the organising committee.

Besides 150 big Ramlilas, hundreds of small ones are being staged in colonies across the Capital. Conceding that advancements in computer software and information technology have helped them in presenting the epic in a better and impressive way so that people can learn lessons from the story of Ram, Ravi Jain of the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee said they have maintained the originality and sacredness associated with the staging of Ramlilas.

The Pitampura Ramlila Committee PU Block is using special effects to make Hanuman fly in the sky. While electric trolleys would be used for the war between Ram and Ravana, hydraulic trolleys and "special" computer- effects would be used to increase the size of the tail of Hanuman.

While the Ramlila in East Delhi, being organised by the Ramlila Committee Indraprastha Extension, would stage the entire epic in flash back, the Ramlila Committee Ashok Vihar-II has erected a gigantic 100-foot effigy of Ravana to attract people's attention.

Several Ramlilas in the Capital have taken the help of computer imaging and graphics to change the backdrop of the stage as per the requirement of the story. "It is not only cheap but also saves time and energy. Now special effects are easily available in the market, which can with the help of special projectors and softwares provide different backdrops,'' said one of the organisers in South Delhi.

While staging Ramlilas, the organisers these days take the help of modern communication gadgets like closed circuit cameras to manage the large crowds that throng the venue. At many places, gigantic screens have also been put up so that people can watch the epic from a distance. Some of the popular Ramlilas of the Capital have also tied up with television channels to telecast the staging of the epic live.

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