Having Pakistan roots with a Punjabi Touch
Vivek Shukla
70 years are not long enough to erase memories and traditions. That is very much evident when you hear the dialogues spoken by Ram, Ravan Hanuman, Sita and others in chaste Urdu in posh Sector 15 Ramlila of Faridabad, the bustling industrial town. This also proves the point rather conclusively that language has nothing to do with any religion.
It is a tense moment even as Ram and Ravan are rehearsing their very important dialogue. Both are challenging each other in Urdu rather than Shuddh Hindi. Mincing no words, Ram told Ravan sternly, “Ravan, Tum Shaitan Ho. Tum Zulm ki Nishani ho. Tumhe jeene ka koi Haq nahi hei.” (Ravan, you are an evil character. You symbolise hate and terror. You have no right to live). And undeterred Ravan responds to comment of Ram, “Ram, maine maut par fathe pa lee hai. Poori kayanaat me mere se bada aur takatvar insaan koi nahin hai. Tu jaa apna kaam kar” (Ram, I have conquered even death. Nobody is more powerful than me in this universe. Go and do your job.”
Tells the Tale Differently
More often than not, you would find Ramlila is enacted in Hindi. But this Sector 15 Ramlila is different and tells the tale differently. Why Ramlila In Urdu? Those who organise this Ramlila originally hail from Bannu region of Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Bannu was once a British military base used for action against Afghan border tribes. An inhabitant of Bannu is known as Banuchi, and speaks a specific dialect of Punjabi with heavy use of Urdu words. Post-Partition of the country in 1947, those who were from Bannu, they were allotted land in Faridabad to settle. They have a very significant presence in Faridabad.
Following Tradition
“While we no longer live in our homeland (Bannu), we try to follow some traditions of that place, including enacting Ramlila in Urdu,” says Rakesh Ahuja, president of Sector 15 Ramlila Organising Committee. “The Script of Ramlila was penned in 1976 by Nand Lal Batra, who was also from Bannu,” says Ahuja. As recently as couple of years ago, more than three-four Ramlilas were enacted in Urdu in Faridabad. In one of those Ramlilas, Faridabad Mayor, Ashok Arora used to play either Dashrath or Hanuman. Most of old Faridabad residents were refugees and their language is Urdu-Punjabi,” says Rakesh Sharma, who is also a member of Sector 15 Ramlila.
Sharavan, 32, who acts as Hanuman here in this Ramlila, says, “The good thing is that even youngsters enjoy our Ramlila. They do visit our Ramlila in big numbers. Unlike neighbouring Gurgaon, old order and traditions are still followed in Faridabad. Moreover, we ensure that we have some dislodges even in Bannowali Punjabi.” All such things make our Ramlila unique and different.” Which is your favourite dialogue? After a little pause, Sharvan says that his favourite lines are those when he as Hanuman reaches where Sita is imprisoned by Ravan. She is depressed and all alone. There I addresed her, “Maa, mein aapko Ba hifajat Bhagwan Ram ke pass le jaunga. Aap Katai fikr na karen. Mujhe to abhi Bhagwan Ram ka hukum nahin hai. Varna mein aapko abhi idhar se le jata.” (Mother, I will take you to Lord Ram’s place safely. Please do not worry. I do not have his permission to bring you right now. Otherwise I would safely take you to him here and now.”
Sita-Ravan
Now enjoy one dialogue of Sita-Ravan too. Ravan visits Sita where she is there after he kidnapped her. With big laugh, Ravan says, “Ab Apne Shohar ko Bhul jaa. Mein hi hoon tera Shohar.” (Now forget your husband. Now I am your husband). Enraged with this salacious comment, Sita replies with sheer contempt, “Mujhe Daga-fareb se le aaya. Tu Jaleel Insaan hai. Manhoos Insann hai. Tu khaak ho jayega.” (You have kidnapped me. You are scum on this earth. You are an ominious character. You would be destroyed.)
Says Khalid Alvi, a local journalist, “I notice that the Punjabis of Bannuwal are still strongly attached to their roots and traditions in Faridabad. It is a very well-knit community. That is reflected in Sector 15 Ramlila as well. It is attended by huge numbers. Last but not the least, this Ramlila daily ends with soul-stirring song ‘Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar of film Do Aankhen Barah Haath.
(The writer is a senior journalist and former editor of Somaiya Publications, New Delhi)
