No ‘Ravana vadh’ possible without this Muslim family

VARANASI: Sharadiya Navaratri is a time for celebrations for many but a Muslim family, away from all celebrations, is busy making effigies of demon king Ravana and his kin to be burnt on the tenth day of Navaratri, Vijayadashmi.
The members of this family, who believe that Vijayadashmi is the celebration of victory of good over evil, have been in this work for three generations.
Shamshad Khan, a member of the family said, “It has been 35 years since we are making effigies for Vijayadashami. We are the third generation of our family continuing the tradition.” About 8 members of his family are engaged in this work. They are now giving final touches to the huge effigies at Diesel Locomotive Works.
The materials used for making these effigies are bamboo, flour, waste sarees, taant (china rubber), colours, papers and sutli. “We get our materials from Guddi Silai, Chaukaghat and also Manduadih. Altogether three effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnaad are being made at DLW. These effigies are of 70-ft, 65-ft and 60-ft height, respectively”. Besides, five other effigies are also being made at Titthupur, Lahartara, Phulwaria, Kabirnagar and Babatpur.
Despite hailing from the Muslim community, these people prepare effigies and play a major role in Vijayadashami celebrations. Shamshad remarked, “The virus of communalism should be abolished and there should not be any animosity.”