Muslim artisans in city for grand Dussehra finale

NEW DELHI: On Dussehra, as thousands watch the spectacle of Ravan's burning effigy, groups of Muslim artisans begin their year-long wait for the same day. For generations, it is these Muslim artisans who make the journey from their hometowns to the Capital and lovingly make the effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath for major Ramlilas.
This year too, despite the prelude of terror and death, the centuries-old tradition is alive in the city.
"The high festive spirit has calmed the communal unease. People of all creeds are engrossed in preparing for the celebration. For ages, Muslim artisans have lent their expertise in making idols for Dussehra and even this year, artisans from various parts of the country have gathered in the Capital to give a unique touch to the festival. I have been making effigies for 10 years, but the enthusiasm and devotion is always same every year,'' said Arif, an artisan at Shri Dharmik Ramlila Committee, Subhash Maidan.
The various artisan groups come up with new ideas and innovations every year. Says 50-year-old Shakeela Bany, "Different groups have different ways of making effigies. Being a family profession, even my forefathers used to work in the same profession. We wait for the whole year for Ramlila. Every year, we come here and become a part of the celebration.''
But with the changing time, even the art and its form used has evolved over the years. Initially, the idols were made only of paper, which were very simple in the style. "Now in a bid to attract more people and make the ceremony more exciting, we use cloth, paper and plastic to build these effigies and also use different paints to make it attractive. We have also made a big gun, which will be used to burn the effigies,'' said Bany.
Another artisan at Indraprastha Vistar Ramlila Committee, Shahzad, who is from Muradabad says he participates in the festive mood in the same way he celebrates any other festival. "It is a tradition now. Every year, we come and make idols and every Ramlila has the same artisans every year. The fact that people from different castes, religions and status gather together to celebrate the victory of good over evil denotes there are no barriers in the hearts.''