Muslim artisans give shape to tallest Ravana effigy in Punjab

Sohail Khan, a graduate in maths and physics with about 95 per cent marks, is the man behind the 125- feet high effigy of Ravana, the tallest in Punjab, which will be burnt on Dasehra at Daresi Grounds here. The Ravana has been given shape by his designer sister Naureen Farukhi. Sohail Khan, along with a team of 20 artisans, has come to Ludhiana from Agra for making the statues of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhkarana.

This is his familiy’s fourth generation in the effigy-making business. “We started from Agra almost a month back. The team had 40 artisans, 20 are here with me while 20 have gone to Panipat for the making of Ravana. My brother is a software engineer working at a private firm but he has taken leave to make the effigies. The labour and artisans get good returns and they feel happy to come here and make the effigies,” said Sohail Khan.

Interestingly, Sohail Khan’s team of artisans includes Jats, Hindus and Muslims. The Ravana in making would be 125-feet-tall and would be burnt through remote control by the chief guest on the occasion of Dasehra. First, the umbrella on his head will be set afire, then bright rays of light will emanate from the eyes, then the flames will come through his mouth and finally the navel will show pearls coming out. It will be burnt along with two other effigies. The size of the Ravana is so huge that two cranes would be required to place it straight on the ground.

Preparations are on at the Daresi Grounds and the artisans will stay here in Ludhiana for all 45 days. The organisers, Shri Ram Leela Dasehra Committee, pay these artisans well because of which which they have been coming here for the past 21 years.