Knox Street, San Fernando opened its 2024 Ramleela on Friday 11th October with Bhoomi Pooja officiated by Pandit Rudranath Maharaj and a grand procession through the streets of San Fernando with Mayor Robert Parris at the helm followed by the cast, organizers, parents and well wishers.
Mayor Robert Parris, in his address, recognized that San Fernando was the most culturally diverse place in the country and pledged the continued support of the San Fernando City Corporation to the annual Ramleela sponsored by the Knox Street & Environs Sporting and Cultural Association.
Pandit Justice Devindra Rampersad did the narration after the opening prayer by Pandit Chaynath Maharaj.
The setting for the staging of the Ramleela is a fenced area 200 feet by 60 feet, part of Robin’s Park, that runs parallel to Knox Street. With a permanent pavilion at the southern end and an erected stage at the north, the middle area was the stage for the re-enactment of the Ramleela.
The colorful costumes of the cast, the decorated tents and potted plants, all combined to add to the aesthetics for the enactment of the many scenes. The efficient manner in which the scenes were executed only demonstrated that much background work was done. Very visible were the several volunteers who worked hurriedly to arrange the necessary props.
The narrator, combining Hindi and English, was deliberate and clear in his presentation, not saying too little nor too much. The use of songs and music through the public address system was appropriately integrated into the re-enactment.
The audience, seated on the pavilion and a tent on the southern border, looked on with rapt attention. As I looked on, it was clear to me that the message of the Ramayan was not lost in the theater.
The cast comprised of youths from primary and secondary schools. Their demeanor was one of total involvement and pride in what they were doing. I was happy to learn from Pandit Chaynath Maharaj that several youths who had participated in the Ramleela since 2000 had gone on to win scholarships and are professionals today.
The success of the Knox Street Ramleela is dependent on the contributions of the elders behind the scenes. Their hard work and organizational skills all combined to provide the creative presentation I experienced.
I was happy that the organizers recognized Pandit Chaynath Maharaj and Evans Harry for their services to the Association. Harry took the opportunity to remind the audience of the struggles led by Robin Maharaj to get the park officially declared a public park.
Ramleela would be incomplete without a stall serving doubles, sweets and drinks which were efficiently managed and well patronized.
Ramleela was brought by our indentured ancestors and is today an integral part of the cultural tapestry of our land. Noble Laureate, Derek Walcott, in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992, spoke of Ramleela in Felicity. Ramleela is also a national cultural event across the globe including countries of the Far East- Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore etc.
The members of the Krishna Mandir of Todd Street and the Knox Street and Environs Sporting an Cultural Association have joined hands in successfully re-enacting definitely the oldest cultural play in the history of humankind.