While Ram paints his face, Ravana enjoys a plate of snacks. Sita and Kaikeyi help each other with their makeup. Amid peacock feathers and an easily lifted bow and arrow, they run from one dressing room to another getting into their costumes. And all of them have to undergo the agnipariksha this time — the Covid-19 test. The 64th edition of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra’s annual dance-drama Shri Ram is really enthralling the audience in Delhi. It is being staged from October 17-27. At a time when most Ramlila organising committees, big or small, have stepped back due to lack of preparatory time and pandemic restrictions, SBKK’s play, to be performed in the open air on its lawns on Copernicus Marg, aims to enthral viewers as it has for six decades. Its modern avatar will also be available on YouTube from October 28 to November 14 for those who cannot be physically present for the event. “The actors have been practising at the venue since July. There was much confusion recently, but as soon as we got the permission to stage the play a few days ago, we stepped up our preparations,” said Shobha Deepak Singh, vice-chairperson, SBKK, and director of the dance-drama. “We have several new characters this time, some haven’t even performed on stage before.”