Siddhant Issar's divine calling: The journey of a play across borders

"I feel the lord chose me to play Ram live on stage in America and represent Indian culture all over the world, I must be specially blessed."

Actor Siddhant Issar seems to be elated as his live theatre Broadway Show Jai Shri Ram Ramayan is completing its North America tour.

The show has previously done rounds all over India. Completing nearly 30 shows, primarily in packed stadiums, maidans, grounds and arenas hosting live attendants between 10 to 30 thousand each time.

In this theatre production, the actor plays the role of Ram and interestingly his father and industry veteran Puneet Issar plays Raava. The star cast also includes other known faces – Vindu Dara Singh plays Hanuman, choreographer Rajeev Surti plays Lord Shiva, TV actress Shilpa Raizada is Sita and Payal Goga Kapoor plays Saroopnakha.

Currently they commenced their USA tour. This is a rare and unique scenario in the history of Indian Theatre. This stands as the only theatre production based on the Ramayana, which has crossed over, to foreign land. While Ramleelas happen in India yearly and several small scale artsy plays based on the Ramayan do exist, Jai Shri Ram Ramayan is the only broadway scale theatre production based on the Ramayana, with over 70 Kathak Dancers, 30 acrobat artists, live singing dancing and action, laser light projections, LED backdrops, rich costumes and jewellery, opulent sets, dialogues in poetic form and much more.

When asked about the response of the USA Tour, Siddhant said playing the divine character of Ram live on stage in the US has been the most fascinating experience. “I am overwhelmed by the ovation, cheers and response. The claps and pops we got in arenas in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and others so far...was way more than the ovations, claps, shouts, applauds, cheers we get even in India.” He added, “Our promotional events like the Ram Arti and Ram Rath Yatra at the Golden Gate Bridge, were mega hits. I feel Indians abroad are even more connected to their roots than the Indians back home. They long and urge to see Indian tradition and culture and celebrate it more with more exuberance. Also, they understand Broadway culture. We were performing in arenas where Elvis Presley, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley and other legends have performed. As an artist there's nothing more I could have asked for.”

He says that along with Indians, their shows were appreciated by people of other nationalities as well. They enjoyed each line, laughed, cried, clapped and said that they connected with the emotion and energy.

Siddhant went on to say, “It taught me as an artist. that art transcends boundaries. Also, the Ramayan is a confluence of all emotions which are universal. Worldwide people connect and relate. Playing Bhagwan Ram was always a responsibility.”

After nearly a dozen shows in the United States of America, the team will head back to India the first week of May, and resume shows all over India. Later in the year the Broadway will travel again to the United States of America, this time the East Coast, and then continue with its Canada, UK, Middle East and Far East tours, which have already been booked.