Ayodhya (UP), Nov 7 (PTI) As many as 2,500 artists from India and abroad will converge for the 10th Deepotsav in Ayodhya to showcase their art, including Ramlila performances.
Artists from five countries will stage Ramlila in their respective traditions and styles, providing a global platform for the story of Lord Shri Ram.
The participation of two teams from South Africa will be a special attraction.
Artists from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos and Thailand will also stage Ramlila in keeping with their cultural heritage. Through these performances, audiences will get a glimpse of the art, music, dance and theatre of different countries together in Ayodhya, a Uttar Pradesh government statement said.
The Deepotsav will offer a unique confluence of international and folk traditions of different regions of the country, it said.
Artists from the Philippines, Thailand and Russia are also likely to participate.
“Around 2,500 artists from India and abroad will showcase their art on six small, four medium-sized and two large stages. In addition, performances based on Ramcharitra and Ramkatha from Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala will further expand Deepotsav’s cultural diversity,” the statement said.
Ashutosh Dwivedi, adviser and Officer on Special Duty at the Ayodhya International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, said that the participation of Indian and foreign artists would make Deepotsav even more attractive.
“Ramlila performances from five countries and Ramkatha-based presentations from various states will provide the event with a platform for cultural diversity. This will also create opportunities for local artists and tourism-related businesses.
“Performances by foreign artists will further strengthen Ayodhya’s international identity,” he said.
He said that the participation of approximately 2,500 artists would bring the vibrant expression of diverse cultures to life in the city of Lord Ram.
Following the Pran Pratishtha at the Ram Temple, Ayodhya is emerging as a major centre for cultural tourism alongside religious tourism.
In this context, the initiative to give Deepotsav an international character will help showcase the global acceptance of Ramkatha, the statement said.
Through Ramlila performances from different countries, the ideals, dignity, and philosophy of Lord Shri Ram’s life will be presented through diverse cultural expressions.
Through Deepotsav, efforts are being made to give Ayodhya a wider identity on the cultural map of the world, the statement said. PTI NAV RT
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