Ravana to kidnap Sita in chopper

Pushpak Vimaan is passe, The E-Age Demon King may fly in a helicopter to abduct the Queen of Ayodhya. MiD DAY reporters Ishita Sharma and Amit Singh bring to you Ramlila India's oldest stage show in its 21st century avatar

Pushpak Vimaan is passe, The E-Age Demon King may fly in a helicopter to abduct the Queen of Ayodhya. MiD DAY reporters Ishita Sharma and Amit Singh bring to you Ramlila India's oldest stage show in its 21st century avatar



Which vehicle was used by demon king Ravana to abduct Sita?

No, you don't need to Google it. It was a Pushpak Vimaan.

But, it happened in the mythical 'satyuga' and this is 'kalyuga'. A modern helicopter is all set to rewrite Ramayana, on stage, for all those who watched Arvind Trivedi pick up Deepika from Panchvati (all from Ramanand Sagar's TV serial Ramayana) on the idiot box.

The Nav Shri Dharmik Ramlila Committee at the Red Fort ground is planning to add some real-time action to the 'Sita Haran' this year by using a chopper in place of a makeshift arrangement as Ravana's aerial vehicle.

Gods on earth: Artists of Dharmik Leela Commitee at Subhash Maidan, old Delhi Pics/Subash Barolia

"If the idea works out, it will be the first of its kind in the country," said Brijmohan Sharma, the organiser of the show.

The special effects just won't stop at that. The swords will be laced with a special material to produce sparks while depicting the fight between the armies of Ram and Ravana and Lord Hanuman will enter Lanka suspended on a rope.

A big crane will be used for the scene in which Ravana's brother Kumbhakaran will be woken up from his deep slumber. As an added attraction special artists have been brought in from Jaipur to construct a replica of the famous Sheesh Mahal.

If one Ramlila committee is focussing on making it a visual delight, the other at the nearby Subhash ground has hired sound and acoustics specialists to put up a technologically sound show. Also to add to the effects special, voice over artists have been hired to add to the ambience.