SAB LILA HAI / It's All Play

63 mins, dv-cam, 2011

SYNOPSIS:

In India, thousands have been killed in the name of Ram and Allah. But for the past 38 years, the Hindus and Muslims of Rudahi and Bargadi villages have together staged the annual Ramlila in which the Hindu god Ram kills the demon king Ravana to save the human race. As the Ramlila became world famous, so increased the intervention of political parties. Controlling the Ramlila meant controlling the local Hindu-Muslim vote bank. Depending on the political allegiance of the sarpanch (village head) of Rudahi village who was in charge of the Ramlila committee, the members of his party ruled supreme. But on 31 December 2009, the political tide changed. Rudahi and 13 neighbouring villages were clubbed together to form Bakhshi Ka Talab (BKT) Town Area. A new administration, a new minister, a new committee...and so starts the wrangling over who will organise the Ramlila. As two political rivals fight it out to wrench control over the electorate for their political survival, one thing is for sure – Lord Ram's responsibilities increase every year!

Telecast on Doordarshan and NDTV

LINK TO THE FILM:

https://vimeo.com/196994353/089b61647d