1.
SV Drummers lead elephant in procession, in Delhi, India. (2 SHOTS)
0.15

2.
SV Bands lead various tableaux in procession. (2 SHOTS)
0.36

3.
GV Effects of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath at the Ramlila grounds; surrounded by unlighted fireworks on posts. (5 SHOTS)
0.54

4.
GV Crowd assembled at grounds.
1.00

5.
LV Procession of elephants and floats arriving at the grounds. (2 SHOTS)
1.10

6.
SV & CU Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana 'fighting' with bow and arrows with Ravana; with children on fire-engine watching. (4 SHOTS)
1.24

7.
CU Fireworks alight at night. (4 SHOTS)
1.36

8.
GV The burning effigy of Ravana falling to the ground. (2 SHOTS)
1.45

9.
CU & GV The burning effigies of Kumbhkarna and Meghnath disintegrating. (4 SHOTS)
2.01



Initials JS/1920



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Hindus all over India have been celebrating the Dusshera Festival this month (October). In Delhi, the end of the ten day long Ramlila celebrations, part of the Dusshera Festival, was marked with dance and drama in the streets, performed to commemorate the victory of the Hindu god Rama over the Demon King Ravana.

SYNOPSIS: In cities and villages throughout Indian, millions crowd the streets for the festival. In Delhi, an elephant led the Ramlila procession through the streets.

Ramlila means 'play of Rama'. Here, various scenes representing different episodes of the epic poem Ramayana, unfolds the theme of good over evil. The legend tells of how the god Rama destroyed the demon Kind Ravana and his two evil followers to rescue his kidnapped bride, the beautiful Sita.

These are the effigies of the evil Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and his son Meghnath, the villains of the legend.

Thousands of people waited for the final act of the begin after the arrival of the procession at the Ramlila grounds.

The heroes, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana, wear panther skins and fight Ravana who wears blue. They use bows and arrows and their conflict is symbolised by gestures.

According to the legend, Rama's ultimate weapon was a fire-tipped shaft, which he hurled at his enemy. And then the effigies of Ravana and his henchmen, stuffed with fireworks, explode and burn.

As the effigies disintegrate, the annual festival again ends with family feasting and visiting to mark the end of the rice harvest.