Since we are going behind the scenes into one of the most mind-boggling traditions followed in India, it is only fair that we look into the man who is, so to speak, the star of the show!
Ravan.
The beloved King of Lanka.
The most powerful being to exist on earth, who, lets face it, Rama would not have been able to defeat, had it not been Vibhishan’s betrayel of his secret – the pot of Amrit (also known as elixir of life) kept in his navel. A most accomplished musician, creator of Rudra Veena and Ravan hatta, and a tapasvi of such knowledge and valour, that he needed ten heads and twenty arms to accommodate it all.
But this larger than life character also had its own flaw or rather, flaws!
The Lanka he so “lovingly” ruled was taken by force from Kubera, his half brother. Consequently, the pushpak viman (a kind of an aeroplane), was also built under Kubera.
Apparently, he had also tried to uproot Mount Kailas in order to keep Shiva closer to him. That had cost him an arm.
Literally!
And then, there was that matter of abducting Ram’s Sita!
Some argue that though he had abducted Sita, he had never touched her. Never laid a finger on her. He had tried to woo her! All the women of Lanka were wrapped around his little finger (quite the ladies man, he was) and he was wrapped around Sita’s finger. Apart from her request for her freedom and return to her husband, he was willing to do anything for her. If she accepted him as well, that is.
On further inspection that involved re-reading Ramayana, its various interpretations and talking to the people around us on their thoughts, we figured out one thing!
That Rama maybe the most ideal man to walk this earth, but Ravan has his own fan following for sure.
India has six temples dedicated to him. In a town called Baidnath in Himachal Pradesh, people do not build or burn effigies of Ravan. In fact, rumour has it that anyone who will participate in this ceremony, will surely die an unnatural death!
In hindsight, so many questions rose in our heads!
Was Ravan a misunderstood hero or a mighty villain?
What was his story?
What is the significance of this Ravan burning ceremony?
What is achieved through the burning of the effigies?
Who are these people who, voluntarily, come together in a place and create huge demonic look alikes for a fire exorcism?
And do we, the common people, really understand the meaning behind this tradition?
Or are we all blind followers, dancing in this
Rave for Ravan…
We will be back with answers in the soon-to-be-out Documentary on the most notorious character in this great Indian epic!
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