New Delhi: Before Ravana goes up in flames at Delhi’s Ramlila grounds Tuesday, spectators at some venues will see his eyes roll, sword whirl and garlands glow, while his recorded voice delivers a message for the city. The symbolic strike of an arrow will set the stage for carefully choreographed sequences, with green crackers, recorded cries and fiery effects turning the demon king’s final moments into a spectacle.At Luv Kush Ramlila, the drama will centre on a 110-foot-tall Ravana, flanked by a 100-foot Kumbhakarna and a 90-foot Meghnad. The strike at his navel will be followed by an effect depicting nectar flowing out, recreating a crucial moment in his battle with Rama before the effigy is consumed by fire.“Ravana’s eyes will roll and appear to emit fire, while 11 garlands in different colours will light up one after another. The sword in his hand will also whirl,” committee president Arjun Kumar said.But before going down in a trail of fire, the demon king will address problems plaguing Delhiites. A recording in his voice will urge spectators to confront pollution and traffic congestion, linking them to ill health, wasted fuel and economic losses. “I am burnt every year, but defeat Ravana within you too. Reduce pollution and traffic congestion,” the recorded message will say. He will then call out “Hey Ram, hey Ram” before being set alight, Kumar said.Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan is expected to attend Ravana Dahan.At Shree Dharmic Leela Committee, Ravana’s final moments will draw spectators’ attention to his neck. Once the arrow strikes his navel, the garland will become a focal point as parts of it start burning. “Sections of the garland will appear like separate beads as the paper burns away,” committee secretary Pradeep Sharan said.Blinking eyes and flowing tears will mark Ravana’s final moments at Nav Shri Dharmik Leela Committee. Publicity secretary Rahul Sharma said his garland will light up before the 110-foot Ravana is burnt alongside a 100-foot Kumbhakarna and a 105-foot Meghnad. Green crackers will accompany the dahan. “Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are expected to be present,” he said.At IP Extension, where organisers said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would perform the dahan, Ravana’s face will move and flames will emerge from his eyes. Committee president Suresh Bindal said preparations were being conducted under the directions of PM’s protocol officers.“For around 30 years, we have also burnt a fourth effigy representing contemporary evil. This year, it will be counterfeit medicines and inflated MRPs,” Bindal said.In Janakpuri, Dharmik Evam Samajik Mahasangh will hold its Vijayadashami celebrations at Dussehra Ground in B Block. Simultaneously, at Sai Baba Mandir in A5A, Om Sai Club will host a light-and-sound show and cultural performances, followed by ‘Ramlila-The Eternal Saga’ by Aasma Dance Company.A 221-foot Ravana effigy will be the main attraction at Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society’s 15th Ramlila in Sector 10, said its chairman and chief patron Akash Rajesh Gehlot. “The true meaning of Ravana dahan is not merely burning an effigy, but taking a pledge to overcome arrogance, injustice and evil,” Gehlot said.
