A large crowd gathered to watch Ram Leela, a dramatization of the Ramayan by the Shree Satsang Ramayan Mandali, at the Suva Civic Auditorium last night.
The Mandali, which also performed in India during the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, attracted significant interest.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, says the teachings of Lord Ram and the Ramayan mandalis provide a historical connection with the arrival of indentured labourers.
He says despite the brutalities and struggles of the indenture system, many found solace in reflecting on their own hardships through the struggles faced by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile.
Professor Prasad says it was encouraging to see that Ram Leelas are still being performed despite modern conveniences that allow people to watch such performances online.
Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan highlighted India’s deep and abiding connection with Fiji, highlighting the integral role of the Ramayana.
He says when the first batch of indentured labourers arrived in Fiji 145 years ago, they brought little with them except their faith in the Ramayan which sustained the indentured labourers through hardships that are difficult to express in words.
The High Commissioner says the thriving Fijian community and its celebration of rich cultural heritage today would not have been possible without the determination and resilience of ancestors for whom the Ramayan served as a source of inspiration during times of darkness.
He further says that as India’s envoy to Fiji, he takes deep satisfaction in knowing there are over 2,000 Ramayan mandalis in a community of around 300,000 people.
He hopes that the Ramayana Mela will serve to strengthen the enduring friendship and partnership for progress and prosperity between the two countries.
Karthigeyan also hopes that people would draw inspiration from the epic's powerful message of the triumph of good over evil, striving to overcome the darkness within.
Part 2 of the Ram Leela will be performed tomorrow at the Suva Civic Auditorium at 6.30pm.
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