The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has announced plans to make Ramleela Studies a permanent part of its academic curriculum.
The announcement came during the Ramleela Heritage Symposium at the Divali Nagar on Saturday.
At the opening ceremony of the symposium, Chairman of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Professor Selwyn Cudjoe, underscored the importance of the Ramayana’s role in shaping the social and spiritual consciousness of Indo-Trinidadians.
“In its original form, the narrative was told over 40 days and covered the period from Rama’s birth to his coronation and would be addressed to an audience from a couple of hundred people to a few thousands. Each installment of the narrative occupying no less than three hours. Needless to say, Indians throughout India perform and read this work.”
He revealed UTT’s intention to launch a Certificate in Ramleela Studies as a permanent academic offering.
“The University also intends to introduce a Certificate in Ramleela Studies as a standalone, permanent programme, ensuring that the sacred tradition continues to be preserved, researched, and passed on to future generations. UTT remains committed to positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a leader in the preservation and creative interpretation of Indo-Caribbean traditions and culture.”
He challenged the notion of education that excludes cultural literacy, and also called on The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine Campus, to follow suit.
“You can’t say you’re an educated Trini and you go to the UWI or you come to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, you know nothing about the culture, nothing about the history. It must become a fundamental course, so that everyone walks out here knowing what the Ramleelas are, what Hosay is, what the Orisha Fest, we must, else we are not educated.”
Lecturer in Indian Diaspora Studies at UWI St Augustine, Dr. Sherry-Ann Singh, emphasised Ramleela’s role in building inter-village networks, becoming the earliest agent of “interaction and cohesion” between communities.
“Many couldn’t travel to the estates because they were not allowed off the estates without written permission, and that was only granted twice per year. So this movement of people from village to village to Ramleelas happened when they moved off the estates. And since getting from village to village then was a long, arduous journey, it was common for these visitors to the Ramleela villages to stay there for either the entire duration or part of the Ramleela.”
The symposium is being hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, the NCIC, the Shiva Gana Organisation, the National Ramleela Council, and the Indian High Commission.