This Ravan-Ram have been best buddies for over a decade

Children flee when the towering, wide-eyed Ravan roars from the stage at Shahkot Ramleela, which has been regaling audiences for the past 59 years. The only one who can stand his ground in front of Ravan is his worthy opponent – Ram.

Best friends Shanty Chawla (40) and Ranjit Singh (46) have been facing off each other in an action packed Ramleela, playing Ravan and Ram respectively, for the past 10 years in the heart of the pastoral rural town of Shahkot. The Hindu-Sikh, Ravan-Ram camaraderie is celebrated in the predominantly Sikh belt of Shahkot where Sikhs from neighbouring villages flock in huge numbers to witness the high decibel star cast of the half-decade old Ramleela (since 1965).

The Ramleela is organised by the Shri Ramleela Dramatic Club Shahkot.

Shanty Chawla, a property dealer by profession and Ranjit Singh, who runs a garment store, started playing their respective characters since they were young. Both are ‘Ram bhakts’ (disciples of Ram).

“We have a 45-member cast which has Hindus, Sikhs and Dalits. Muslim men manage our stage and props. I play Ravan, Ranjit plays Ram and the men who play Seeta and Kaikeyi are both Dalits. But we are all brothers first. Villagers from Dhandowal and Bajwa Kalan specially cook food for the cast and call us at homes for dinner. Sikhs flock the shows and raise slogans and cheer with intensity. The entire community gathers to celebrate,” Shanty, who is also the president of the Shri Ramleela Dramatic Club Shahkot, said.