VRINDAVANA PRESERVATION SOCIETY
RAM LEELA
Drama Duration: 25 min.
Director:
Contact Person: Keshav Shukla
E-mail: keshav_vps@yahoo.com
Phone # (617) 509- 8782
(617) 365-3759
Coordinator: Communicate to others the nature of their responsibilities. It is the responsibility of coordinator to
make sure every one has a costume and at the end he/she will collect all the props as well.
Services:
Sound System: Once to place microphones on the stage and the other to stay with the music in-charge person.
Audio Recording: The whole drama will be pre-recorded in the mini-disc recorder. The recording will be done with background
music.
Rehearsal Scheduler: Scheduler is responsible for updating all the participants and volunteers regarding the drama practices and the
objective of that day.
Media Communication: Write the press release before and after the show.
Gifts for the participants: Each parent are requested to pay $20 which we will use for getting a gift/trophies for the participants.
VPS Certificates: The personalized certificates should be distributed the day of the festival.
Dance Choreography:
Music Team: The music team needs to be present at each music rehearsal, and at the time of recording. Please try to collect
background music and songs which will be used for the recording. Musical instruments: Harmonium, mradanga, dolak, kartal, etc.
Stage Assistants
Stage Manger: All the participants should be given the props at least 10 days before the festival.
Microphone – Microphone will be placed near the podium.
Curtain: Person in charge of the curtain should attend at least the last three rehearsals and familiarize with the script.
Refreshments: Each rehearsal should have water, snacks, etc.
Lighting: This service requires two volunteers. One will be on the stage handling the lights and the other person will be operating the
spotlight from the rear of the auditorium.
Actors: The expectation from the actors is to arrive on time and have respect for others talents and abilities.
Costume in-charge: This person should have make-up kit with all the required items such as make-up, mirror, paper towels, water,
baby oil, and jewelry, etc.
Video Recording and photography: Video recording and photography should be done by a professional videographer. This organizer
should get sign-up sheets from parents who are willing to contribute $10.00 to the cost of this production. In return the parents will
receive a DVD of the performance, along with still photos of the drama.
Prepare the information flier that highlights the interesting facts of the Rama Lila story.
Thank you notes to those who contributed/helped with the script/drama.
Rehearsal Schedules
DATE
DAY
PLACE
START
STOP
PRACTICE DETAILS
Introduction
Identify actors
Distribute script
Practice
Practice
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Identify participant
Select costume
Ram Leela Drama
Final rehearsal
Select costume
Final touchup
Ram Leela Drama
Participants:
Acting Parts:
1. Ram
2. Sita
3. Laxmana
4. Bharat
5. Hanuman
6. Four Monkeys:
7. Jatayu
8. Ravan
9. Four Demons:
10. Saurpanaka
11. Maricha
12. Ocean
10. Sound in-charge
11. Mradanga player
12. Bhajan singer
13. Video/audio recording and photography
PREVIEW (This will be read by the MC to the audience – live not recorded)
Diwali, also know as Deepawali is a famous Indian “Festival of Lights”. This festival has been
celebrated for thousands of years. When Lord Ramachandra, His wife Sita, and His brother
Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile in the forest, the citizens decorated their
homes and the whole city with Deepas (oil lamps) so that there would be a clearly lit path back
to the palace. To this day, people still celebrate the return of Lord Ramachandra; the valiant
king whose majesty has never since been surpassed. Homes are cleaned and pathways are
marked with intricate rice flour designs. Everyone bathes and dresses in fine new clothes.
Offerings of sumptuous foods are prepared as fire workd and Deepas light the night sky. Diwali
is a time for families and friends to exchange gifts and sweets.
Ramayana
Scene 1
Rama: Laksman, take care. Demon beware the power of my invincible bow.
Jatayu: Dear child, do not kill me, for I am an aged friend of your father. I’m just an old eagle
named Jatayu. Please allow me to help you during your stay in the forest. Perhaps I CAN HELP
PROTECT Sita whenever you go out. Awk awk
Ram: Dear Jatayu, I thank you for your offer and look forward to a long and lasting friendship
with you. Come now to the new place where we will build our home. You can live in a tree
nearby.
Jatayu: Thank you, Ram. Thank you.
Scene 2
Narration:
Saurpanaka: Oh dearest one, who are you with your strong limbs and handsome face you have
won my heart. Come with me, Saurpanaka, and wonder through the woods. You and I could be
so happy together.
Ram: Oh fair maiden, I am Ram, son of the great king Dasaratha, I thank you for your offer but
I must reject it for I am already married. Look here is my wife, Sita. My brother, Laksman,
however, is equally handsome and heroic and is living alone in the forest. I am sure he is a more
suitable match. Offer your hand to him.
Saurpanaka: Oh, how right you are. Laksman my hero, come with me I will marry you instead.
Laksman: No madam, it would not be proper, I would not be fitting match. I am but servant of
my brother Rama. And you, you must surely be a princess. I won’t be able to marry you.
Saurpanaka: It is this horrible creature, Sita, who stands between me and you. I will devour her
in a second and then I will marry you by force.
Sita: Ah, ah, oh no!
Saupranaka: Scream.
Scene #3
Ravana: My dear sister, who has cut off your nose and ears? Tell me, I will avenge you.
Saurpanaka: It was the two sons of Dasaratha, king of Kosala. Who are wondering, fearlessly
through our forest. They have not only dared to injure me but have also slain our brothers. Karn
and Dushana: And defeated our whole army, they are accompanied by the wife of Ram a lovely
creature who is surly the most beautiful woman in the creation. She would make a perfect queen
for you, dear brother. Avenge this insult to our family, these two princes must be destroyed.
Ravana: Fear not sister, I have a plan I will seek the help of Maricha, The Magician, I will
destroy the princes of Ayodhya, and carry of the woman as my bride. (Laughter)
Scene #4
Narration:
Sita: Ram, Laksman, do come, quickly, what a beautiful creature, please catch it for me, I
would love to have it as my pet.
Laksman: Ram Beware of this animal, it is too beautiful to be true it could be a magical trick,
the creation of some wizard.
Ram: Fear not, Laksman, Sita shall have the deer. If this creature is a wizard’s creation as you
say, I will bring it down with my bow. Guard Sita while I am gone. On no account must you
leave her alone in the forest.
Narration:
Sita: Laksman, do you not hear the cry of your brouther? Go immediately to help him, he is
surly in great danger.
Laksman: Ram can defeat any man, demon, or wild beast. Do not worry. This cry for help must
be a trick of the demons.
Sita: You do not care about Ram. You want him to die. You have served us all these years
imply waiting for your chance to take me as you own.
Laksman: Such thoughts are cruel and are unjust. Your words burn my heart like a re hot fire.
Very well, I will do as you say, and go and search for my brother, thus disobeying his
instructions. I fear greatly for your safety. Look before I go, I will create a magical circle
around the cottage. On no account must you step outside it or let anyone in. Protected by a
special charm, it will be your safekeeping while I am gone.
Narration:
Ravana: My dear, beautiful lady, why do you live here alone in a forest full of man-eating
demons and fierce beasts, dressed in simple clothes, and living like a pauper? You belong in a
palace, served by thousands of maidservants, who will adorn you with fine clothes and jewels.
Do not stay with this wretched Ram. Come with me, Ravana. Come to my palace in Lanka,
there I will serve your hand and foot. Come with me and be my bride.
Sita: Oh, you cruel wicked wretch, be off with you, before my Ram returns. If you harm me, he
will destroy you and your whole demon race as well.
Ravana: (Laughter)
Sita: Ram! Ram please come and save me! Ram and Laksman….forgive me for speaking so
harshly. Please come to my aid!
Narration:
Ram: Laksman, how could you leave Sita? I told you not to do so under any circumstance. I
fear we have been the victims of a trick.
Laksman: I did not leave her unprotected. I created a magical circle around her. Oh, please
understand, my brother, it was my love for you you, and her harsh words that drove me away.
Ram: Where is my Sita? Surly she has been attacked and killed by the demons.
Narration:
Ram: Jatayu, who has done this to you?
Jatayu: It was the wicked demon Ravana, king of Lanka.
Ram: Ravana
Jatayu: He flew away to the south, taking Sita with him.
Ram: Ravana, he has her.
Jatayu: She was screaming for your help.
Ram: Sita
Jatayu: Do not worry, Ram, you will find her, and be happy once again. I beg your leave, now I
will depart…..Ram….
Narration:
Ram: You will find Sita for me Hanuman. Here, take my ring, it will tell Sita that you are my
messenger.
Hanuman: I will not return until I find her my lord. Legions Forward!
Narration:
Hanuman: Mata Sita, wife of the great king, Ram, I am your husband’s messenger, Hanuman.
He is in great distress without you, and has sent me to search for you.
Sita: Oh, how do I know that you have come from my Ram: You may have been sent by the
demons to taunt me?
Hanuman: Look, I have brought Ram’s ring.
Sita: Indeed, it is his ring. Thank you. Dear friend, take this jewel to Ram and tell him I wait
day and night for his arrival here. Please accept this nectar fruit also to refresh yourself. They
grow on trees all over the garden.
Hanuman: Umm, umm, oh it’s delicious, yum! I could eat lots more.
Narration:
Ocean Personified to Rama: - Enters to center stage on music
O Rama, you are all – pervading Supreme Person, we are dull – minded and did not understand
who you are, but now we know that you are the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
You may use my water as you like. Ravana, who is the source of disturbance and crying for the
three worlds. He is the son of Visrava. Please destroy him and thus regain your wife Sita Devi.
Although my water presents no impediment to you, please construct a bridge over it to spread
your transcendental fame. Upon seeing this wonderfully uncommon deed, all the great heroes
and kings in the future will glorify you.
Ravana: You impudent monkey, I will teach you a lesson!
Narration:
Monkeys shout: VICTORY TO RAM! VICTORY TO RAM!!
Narration:
Ravana: How dare you come here with your army of monkeys? You a king without a
kingdom…ha ha ha… I shall finish you now and take your wife once and for all.
Ram: Ravana, You stole my wife while I was absent. Still, it is not too late, please give up all
your wrong doing and surrender onto me.
Ravana: Surender onto you – Never. You will have to fight with me.