Exploring Notions of Bhakti in the Making of Ram in a Hindu-Muslim Ramlila Tradition
Illustrated lecture by Dr. Molly Kaushal, Professor of Performance Studies and Head, Janapada Sampada Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

 

Introduction: Prakash Tripathi

Discussant and Chair: Shri Shrivatsa Goswami

 

Shamshad Ali has been playing Ram for almost eight years now in the Ramlila of Kheriya, a small village in Uttar Pradesh. What does it mean to play the role of Ram for him, a “devout Muslim” as he describes himself.  The presentation is based on interviews with Shamshad about his life’s journey and the process he went through that made him “identify with is role completely”