Coinciding with Dussehra, the High Commission of India in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Surabhi- an Indian community ladies group affiliated to the High Commission, and members of the Indian community and diaspora underlined the rich cultural connect between India and Guyana through a magnificent portrayal of Ram Leela- an artistic depiction of scenes from the Indian epic Ramayana. Based on the Ramcharitmanas, a treatise by Goswami Tulsidasa, Ramleela is well-known folk-tradition across northern India. Incidentally the tradition has its roots in India where many from the Indo-Guyanese and the wider Ind-Caribbean community trace their ancestral roots. The performance of Ramleela, although has undergone modifications over the years, continues to be widely practiced in many countries like Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago that witnessed significant migration of Indian indentured workers under the British colonial rule in the 18th and 19th century. It was with an intention to preserve this tradition and recognize its undeniable significance as a folk-tradition, Ramleela was inscribed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by UNESCO in 2008.
Along with the depiction of Ramleela, by members of the High Commission, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and enthusiastic members of the Indian community and diaspora, one of the highlights of the event was an equally interesting tradition of Ravan Dahan- burning of an effigy of demon-king Ravana, that culminates the Ramleela and Dussehra celebration.
The event received jubilant response from members of the Indian community and diaspora, besides presence of diplomats and international community in Georgetown, Guyana encouraging the performers. Hon’ble Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, performing the duties of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Guyana, H.E. Brig Retd Mark Anthony Phillips, presided over the event and commended the efforts made by the High Commission and the Indian Cultural Center in reviving and preserving these folk-traditions, shared by India and Guyana.
The High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre express their heartfelt gratitude to members of the Indian community and diaspora for their support to this community endeavor strengthening people to people ties and celebrating our common roots and shared heritage. In particular, the High Commission would like to thank its sponsors M/s Bank of Baroda, Shamdas Kirpalani, Broadway Fashions and Shri Maa Ambe Indian Cultural Organization for their support in making the event a big success.
The High Commission also thanks members of the media and members of the Indian diaspora for their steadfast support to the initiative. It will be our constant endeavour to work with members of the Indian community and diaspora to forge closer people to people links and strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between India and Guyana through such community-oriented cultural activities.
