Ramleela plays out at Pierre Road grounds in Charlieville
Newsday
SHIVAN'S PORTRAYAL: Shivan Rampersad portrays Lord Shiva during Ramleela celebrations at Pierre Road in Charlieville on Sunday evening. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
THE Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville, central Trinidad was one of several venues which played host to the annual Hindu play, the Ramleela.
Ramleela which is a Hindu tradition that takes place before the Divali celebrations, is a dramatic re-enactment of the Ramayana – one of the two important epics of Hinduism, with the other being the Mahabharata.
The Ramayana, according to online search site Wikipedia, narrates the life of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, a prince of Ayodhya in the kingdom of Kosala.
The epic follows his 14-year exile to the forest urged by his father King Dasharatha, on the request of Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi; his travels across forests in the Indian subcontinent with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana; the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana, the king of Lanka, that resulted in war; and Rama's eventual return to Ayodhya along with Sita to be crowned king amidst jubilation and celebration.
Newsday's chief photographer Jeff K Mayers visited Pierre Road on Sunday and brought back these images.
>
This 85-feet effigy of Ravan stands prominently during Ramleela celebrations at the Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville, Chaguanas on October 13. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Ravan portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, at the Pierre Road Ramleela 2024 in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In Hindu mythology, Ravan is the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, known for his mastery of the Vedas, immense power, and devotion to Lord Shiva. Despite his villainous role in the Ramayana, he is also regarded as a symbol of intelligence and strength, embodying the complexities of good and evil. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
BURN RAVAN, BURN: An 85-feet tall effigy of Ravan burns to bring to an end, the Ramleela play at the Pierre Road recreation ground. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Makaradhwaja, the son of Hindu deity Lord Hanuman, is portrayed to great effect by Justin Beharry during the Ramleela play at Pierre Road recreation ground. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Ravan, left, portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, in a war dance with Lord Rama portrayed by Roshan Parag at Pierre Road grounds during the Ramleela play. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
As this 45-foot tall effigy of Meghnath, the eldest son of Ravan, burns, people had to move back as the heat grew intense. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
No Ramleela is truly complete without tassa drumming and these drummers did the needful on Sunday at Pierre Road recreation ground in Charlieville. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Aryaan Sukhdeo portrays Bal Raam (Little Lord Rama) during the Pierre Road Ramleela. Bal Raam represents the innocence and purity of childhood while embodying the virtues of bravery, compassion, and righteousness that define Lord Rama throughout the epic Ramayana. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Lord Hanuman, portrayed by Khemchand Sahadeo, makes his way during the Ramleela play. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
>
The 85-foot effigy of Ravan and the 45-foot effigy of his son Meghnath stand prominently during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Highlights from the Ramleela celebrations held at Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Ravan portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, at the Pierre Road Ramleela 2024 in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In Hindu mythology, Ravan is the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, known for his mastery of the Vedas, immense power, and devotion to Lord Shiva. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Ravan portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, at the Pierre Road Ramleela 2024 in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In Hindu mythology, Ravan is the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, known for his mastery of the Vedas, immense power, and devotion to Lord Shiva. Despite his villainous role in the Ramayana, he is also regarded as a symbol of intelligence and strength, embodying the complexities of good and evil. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Highlights from the Ramleela celebrations which took place at Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Roshan Parag portrays Lord Rama during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In the Ramayana, Rama is revered as the embodiment of virtue, courage, and dharma, leading the quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana with the help of devoted allies. -Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Ravan, portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, and Lord Rama, portrayed by Roshan Parag, engage in battle during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In the Ramayana, the epic clash between Ravan, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, and Rama, the embodiment of righteousness, represents the eternal struggle between good and evil. Rama’s victory over Ravan marks the triumph of virtue and the restoration of dharma (moral order). - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Highlights from the Ramleela celebrations at Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
The 85-foot effigy of Ravan burns during the 2024 Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In the Ramayana, Ravan, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, symbolizes arrogance and evil. Despite his immense knowledge and power, his abduction of Sita leads to his downfall in the epic battle with Lord Rama, representing the triumph of good over evil. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
>
Ravan, portrayed by Yashpal Mahase, and Lord Rama, portrayed by Roshan Parag, engage in battle during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In the Ramayana, the epic clash between Ravan, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, and Rama, the embodiment of righteousness, represents the eternal struggle between good and evil. Rama’s victory over Ravan marks the triumph of virtue and the restoration of dharma (moral order). - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Highlights from the Ramleela celebrations which took place at Pierre Road recreational ground in Charlieville. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Keisha Ramsaroop portrays Adi Shakti Jagadambe Maata during the Pierre Road Ramleela on October 13. Adi Shakti, revered as the supreme goddess and divine mother in Hinduism, embodies the feminine energy of creation, preservation, and destruction. She represents the ultimate source of power and is worshipped for her compassion, strength, and nurturing qualities, guiding devotees towards enlightenment and spiritual awakening. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Members of D Felicity Back Road Boys Tassa Group perform during the Pierre Road Ramleela 2024 in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. -Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Sugriv, portrayed during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas, on October 13. In the Ramayana, Sugriv, the exiled monkey king, forms an alliance with Lord Rama to help rescue Sita, offering his army in exchange for Rama’s aid in reclaiming his throne from his brother, Bali. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Andre Dhanesar portrays Lakshmana as he watches the 45-foot effigy of Meghnath burn during the Pierre Road Ramleela in Charlieville, Chaguanas. In the Ramayana, Lakshmana, Rama’s devoted brother, is celebrated for his loyalty, bravery, and role in the epic battle against Ravana, standing steadfastly by Rama’s side throughout their exile. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
Comments
"Ramleela plays out at Pierre Road grounds in Charlieville"