Delhi Ramleela: Muslim youth to play Kumbhakarna, says mother wanted him to play Rama
Twenty-seven-year-old Mujibur Rehman is preparing to play Kumbhakarna, the gigantic brother of king Ravan, at Nav Shri Dharmik Ramleela held at Parade Ground, Lal Qila. The resident of Laxmi Nagar is elated and said his mother would have been happier if he got the role of lord Ram.
In Short
- Mujibur Rehman is preparing to play Kumbhakarna at Nav Shri Dharmik Ramleela.
- He said he is elated but said his mother would have been happier if he got the role of lord Ram.
- He said, "As an actor, all that I want is to be placed on a stage and to perform."
Nawazuddin Siddiqui may have lost out on the opportunity to play Maarich in a Ramleela at Budhana (Uttar Pradesh) but the national Capital is all set to present a much more syncretic picture on Dusshera this year.
Twenty-seven-year-old Mujibur Rehman is preparing to play Kumbhakarna, the gigantic brother of king Ravan, at Nav Shri Dharmik Ramleela held at Parade Ground, Lal Qila. The resident of Laxmi Nagar is elated and said his mother would have been happier if he got the role of lord Ram. "I was very nervous when I applied here. Also, I was wary of my family would react. But my mother was very supportive. She said, 'Beta, I would have been happier had you got to essay the character of Ram. Our epics Ramayana and Mahabharata belong to everyone. Nowhere in these holy books is it written that a Muslim can't enact the roles or emulate the persons therein," said the courageous Delhiite.
CHALLENGING DOGMATIC BELIEF
He challenged dogmatic beliefs in Islam as well which hold that music and dance are prohibited in it. The diploma holder from Shri Ram Centre For Performing Arts (SRCPA), said: "Isn't azaan (the morning call from mosques) also in a lyrical form? Isn't it sung out? Where does the Quran say that we can't act in theatre? I have asked many maulvis but haven't got an answer." The talented youngster said he got professional training in Chhau dance of Jharkhand and learnt to play harmonium for three years at Gandharv Mahavidyalay.
He said: "An actor has no dharm or sthan (religion or place). It is sad that Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been stopped. As an actor, all that I want is to be placed on a stage and to perform." Meanwhile, a grand show is also running at 'Shri Dharmik Leela Committee's Ramleela near Red Fort.
Started in 1924, it has entered its 93rd year. This time, they are focusing on special effects and use of technology to thrill their audience. General secretary Dheeraj Dhar Gupta said: "We are highlighting the birth of Ramchandra and lord Shiva visiting the palace as an unknown sadhu. His chaupais will be recited well. Then the episode of Ahi ravan, who kidnapped Ram and Lakshman, and Patal lok will be recreated. The moment, Sita crosses the Lakshman Rekha, crackers will go up from the ground." Hanuman will also do a skywalk when fetching Himalayan herbs to save Lakshman.
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