Ramlila

Ramlila (Hindi: रामलीला, rāmalīlā ) is a multi-day theater performance of the epic Ramayana in North India. The scenic representation uses the means of narrative, song, recitation and dialogue. The audience is actively involved in the performances.

During the Hindu festival Dasahra annually in October or November, for performances for an average of 10 to 12 days, sometimes longer, instead. The most representative of them are in Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani. The highlight of the performance achieved with Diwali, the festival of victory of good over evil.

The Ramlila performances are based on the Ramacharitmanas, compiled in Popular language of Tulsidas in the 16th century Ramayana texts. In the center of the story is the battle between Rama and Ravana.

Ramlila was recorded in 2005 in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and located since 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.