This summer, Ram Leela, or “Rama’s Play” was magnificently revived by Panwar Music and Dance Productions, led by visionary duo Hemant and Vaishali Panwar. In a testament to the Panwars’ tenacity, their grand and graceful production of this timeless epic – which was the result of five years of meticulous planning – graced the stage of the Ontario Concert Hall in Hamilton on August 10th and 11th.
Rooted in the work of revered 16th-century Indian saint and poet Tulsi Das, Ram Leela is traditionally performed during the Dussera festival in Northern India. The piece depicts episodes from the Ramcharitmanas, celebrating the triumph of good over evil through elaborate performances that can last up to ten days.
Here, Ram Leela was reimagined into a captivating dance and theatre performance. Over the centuries, Ram Leela has been presented through various Indian classical dance forms – each with its own unique style. This new rendition featured Kathak, a classical North Indian dance form known for its detailed footwork and expressive gestures, in a key role. In Panwars’ Ram Leela, the Kathak performances brought the ancient epic to life with lively movements and strong emotions.
The production fully embraced the epic subject matter with innovative digital backdrops and an evocative score composed by Hemant Panwar. Carefully curated, the music preserved the essence of Awadhi, an Indo-Aryan language, and maintained the piece’s cultural integrity. The four-hour performance – featuring vibrant costumes, intricate props, and seamless transitions – was a dynamic showcase for traditional Kathak dance, dramatic war scenes, and the tremendous efforts of the production team.
For me, the performance evoked nostalgic memories of attending Ram Leela during Dussehra as a child in India, where it was often presented at fairs over ten days. While shorter, the Panwar school’s rendition demonstrated the proficiency of its students, who skillfully danced and enacted the narrative. And the choreography of Hemant and Vaishali Panwar skilfully realized the play’s emotional depth, adding a profound layer to the experience. The production also stood out for its inclusivity, engaging participants of various ages in the various dance routines. The dedication of each participant was evident and well-deserving of the applause showered on the company at the show’s end.
Ram Leela is such an ambitious and challenging show that a couple of adjustments might further increase its accessibility to modern multicultural audiences. First, while the poetic elements resonated deeply with me, subtitles would enhance the experience for those unfamiliar with the Awadhi language. And second, given the show’s grand scale and length, presenting it as a two-part event on separate days might make it easier for diverse audiences to absorb and appreciate fully.
But these observations do not diminish the accomplishment here: Panwars’ Ram Leela was a vibrant and meaningful homage to Indian culture and tradition that suitably honored Lord Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya. And this performance was a powerful tribute to – and proof of – the enduring legacy of this cultural masterpiece.
© Yamini Menon, SesayArts Magazine, 2024
