India-Guyana bond celebrated through Ramleela, Ravan Dahan in Georgetown

The vibrant staging of Ramleela and the traditional Ravan Dahan in Georgetown on Thursday evening was a performance that reaffirmed the living bridge of shared culture and traditions connecting India with its diaspora.
The event was a collaborative effort between the High Commission of India, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Surabhi – an Indian community ladies’ group affiliated with the High Commission – and members of the Indian community and diaspora in Guyana.
Together, they presented a magnificent portrayal of Ramleela, an artistic depiction of scenes from the Indian epic Ramayana.
Based on Ramcharitmanas, a treatise by Goswami Tulsidas, Ramleela is a well-known folk tradition across northern India, usually staged to coincide with Dussehra, a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navaratri.
Its roots run deep in India, where many Indo-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean communities trace their ancestry.
Though the performance has evolved over time, it remains a strong cultural practice in countries such as Fiji, Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana – nations that were shaped by the migration of Indian indentured workers during the 18th and 19th centuries.
In recognition of its significance, Ramleela was inscribed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Alongside the performance, the celebration featured the Ravan Dahan – the burning of an effigy of demon king Ravana – symbolising the triumph of good over evil and marking the culmination of Dussehra festivities.
The event received an enthusiastic response from the Indian community, diaspora members, and representatives of the diplomatic and international community in Georgetown.
Hon. Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, performing the duties of Prime Minister, and HE Brig. (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips presided over the celebration, commending the High Commission and SVCC for their efforts to revive and preserve these traditions in Guyana.
In a statement, the High Commission of India and SVCC expressed gratitude to the diaspora and wider community for their support. They also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors – Bank of Baroda, Shamdas Kirpalani, Broadway Fashions, and Shri Maa Ambe Indian Cultural Organization – who played a key role in making the event a success.
“The High Commission will continue to work with members of the Indian community and diaspora to forge closer people-to-people ties and strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between India and Guyana through such community-orientated cultural activities,” the release noted.