|
 |
|
In
Punjab the birth of folk drama appears to have taken place
with the birth of man.
| RAMLILA |
|
Shri Ram has always been the beau ideal of the Indians
who suffered great hazards but established and maintained
high principles. Two great epics, Maharishi Balmiki’s
Ramayan and Tulsi Das Ji’s Ram Charitra Manas formed
the womb out of which folk drama was born. On the basis
of these epics Ramlila was designed as a play. Huge
stage is setup and adorned artfully. The life of Lord
Ram is depicted through authentically dressed character.
Sometimes more than one episode is staged concurrently,
like Sita’s abduction from Ashok Vatika and the war
between Sri Ram & Ravana. The characters impart unity
to the action by reciting verses in the fashion of a
Greek drama.
Burning the effigies of Ravan, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran
ends the Ram Lila and Sita is rescued with honor signifying
victory of good over evil. Ram Lila is played in all
cities of Punjab every year with great gusto.
|
| PRAHLAD
LEELA |
| Symbol
of God-love, Bhakt Prahlad is venerated by the Punjab’s
on the occasion of Holi festival. Rasdhris (traditional
dancers) dramatize the saga of Bhakt Prahlad’s life with
great respect. It is done through imitation roles and
the interest in action is maintained through songs and
music. Bhakt Prahlad, inspite of tortures does not move
from his faith in God. In the end truth is shown as the
victor over evil. |
|
BABA
BALIK NATH LILA
|
| Baba
Balik Nath was a super-being blessed with spiritual powers
who is venerated in Jalandhar Doab. Saga of his life is
delineated on the stage through music, song and dance
which in dramatic parlance is called Lila and which highlights
saintly values. |
| GURU
BALMIK LILA |
| The
story of the Guru’s life is dramatized in a moving manner.
Major events of his life have been versified which are
acted through dance, music and song. This Lila is of recent
origin and the Rasdharis of Jalandhar Doab are renowned
for dramatizing it. |
| GURU
RAVI DAS LILA |
| Rasdharis
have made a beautiful endeavor to project the spiritual
message of Guru Ravi Das’s life. The Lila depicts the
injustices heaped on him, his eternal faith and God-love
and the great honor received by him eventually in a spirit
of surrender and is put on show in almost every city of
Punjab on the Guru’s birthday. |
| SWANG |
| It
is a kind of song-drama which is played either in the
open or atop of platform. The plot is based on the story
of a great personality. In Punjab the Swangs of Puran
Nath Jogi, Gopi Nath and Veer Hakikat Rai are very popular.
In the first two, the life of detachment and in Kakikat
Rai’s Swant, the love of religion and spirit of sacrifice
for its sake are highlighted and their popularity rests
on the fact that they make one conversant with medieval
life. |
| NAQALS
|
|
Naqal is the art of imitation. The Naqal imitate life
in a manner that provokes violent laughter. Naqals entertain
as they instruct also. Naqals exhibit their art through
crisp conservation. The First : Why ! from where have
you come ? The Second : Give me food I am starving. Don’t
you know that I had gone to meet my daughter and we do
not eat anything at our daughter’s house. |
| BHANDS
|
| They
are the traditional entertainers of Punjab and entertainment
is their whole-time profession. They are either invited
or just gatecrash during marriages and produce lot of
fun and frolic. Their music and dance are typical and
they also evoke jokes through dialogue. |
|
|
