Delhi: Ramlila organisers disappointed as stage set for another year of losses

NEW DELHI: Organisers of Ramlilas in the capital are feeling disappointed as no permission for social/cultural/religious/festival gatherings and congregations has been given in the DDMA guidelines that were issued on Wednesday.
Some of them have already submitted fees for booking the venues and made event-related arrangements. Last year also, Ramlila events could not be organised in many places as permission was granted just five days before the festival, said traders.
Lav Kush Ramlila Committee secretary Arjun Kumar said that the organisers were disappointed and were planning to meet the lieutenant governor soon in this regard.
“We have submitted the fees and obtained possession from ASI, but the event would be held subject to permission from DDMA. We are planning to meet LG on this issue and expect some positive development in DDMA’s October 1 guidelines. We have booked artistes from Mumbai, prepared 150 ethnic dresses and recorded 40 songs which will be played during the event,” said Kumar.
Vijay Sarathi, head of Sri Ramlila Committee, says that they have given up the hope to hold the event even this time.
“Preparations start at least two months before the event. We finalise the artistes, start rehearsals and do other bookings for decoration and stalls. But nothing has started so far this year because Ramlila Maidan has been converted into a 500-bed Covid Care Centre by Delhi government. Even then, we have applied for permission. If the event is not allowed, actors and organisers will be disappointed. Last year, the decision came hardly five days before, and that too with a lot of restrictions. We can’t take risks unless we get a nod well in advance,” he said.
“Our Ramilila is the oldest in Delhi and was started by Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar around 180 years ago for his army. Artistes from Moradabad, Mathura and other parts of the country are called to perform here,” said Sarathi.
Avtar Singh, a former mayor and councillor from Kashmere Gate, said, “Preparations for Ramlila usually begin months in advance. We have done the Bhoomi Pujan but not yet received a nod from DDMA.”
As general secretary of Shri Navyuvak Ramlila Committee, he has written to Delhi government to take some steps for organising the event.
BJP functionary Narendra Chawla said that the guidelines, if released too late, would automatically dissuade many to hold the event considering preparation starts at least a month in advance in the national capital. “The south corporation is giving a nod for holding events but referring them to district magistrate for final approval,” said Chawla, former south Delhi mayor.