For nine nights, hundreds of devotees gathered at the Samuel Badree Recreation Grounds in Barrackpore, celebrating Ramleela, a traditional, open-air dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of the Hindu god Rama.
Featuring the burning of a towering 50-foot effigy of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, the occasion marked the penultimate night of Ramleela celebrations, during which devotees of all ages gathered to witness the traditional Hindu symbolism of the triumph of good over evil.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, the event saw Minister Michelle Benjamin express hope that the celebrations would become an annual event in the Barrackpore community.
“I want you to join us year after year as we make this tradition here in Barrackpore. Do I have your commitment for that? That these celebrations would grow from strength to strength, and the entire Trinidad and Tobago will see that right here in Barrackpore that we gather to pass our culture on, that we gather to honour our ancestors.”
Vice President of the Moruga Tableland Cultural Development Committee, Dhanesh Maraj, said the nine months of preparation by Barrackpore residents paid off, as the community-produced re-enactment attracted hundreds of patrons, far exceeding attendance expectations.
“Everything has been made by the people of Barrackpore, and the Ramleela is truly a traditional Ramleela by and for the people of Barrackpore.”
Mr Maraj praised the cultural showcase, noting that it served not only as a form of East Indian expression but also as a cultural vehicle for the younger generation.
“They’re actually learning about their heritage. They’re learning about the Ramayana and how it impacted the lives of our people over 180 years now.”
The night unfolded with a dramatic folk re-enactment of Lord Rama’s journey, culminating in his epic battle against the ten-headed Ravana. The triumph, a central theme of the Ramayana, symbolises the victory of good over evil.
According to Mr Maraj, the festivities would conclude on Monday night with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, marking the beginning of Divali celebrations.