Varied customs and rituals in Lucknow have proven to be healers when it comes to the wide gap that exists between different religious sects/ communities.
Over the years, people from varied communities have thrived peacefully only reaffirming our faith in the philosophy of Unity in Diversity.
Lucknow’s Aishbagh is one such place where a Ravana is many a times created by the nimble fingers of our Muslim brethren and a taziya is given shape by Hindu artisans.
In the middle of Ramlila if a namaz time clashes with the festivities, Hindus pause and wait till the prayers are over. All in all mutual love and respect has kept this part of the city going for generations.
Interestingly, a Nawab gave shape to the Aishbagh Ramlila to give communal amity a fillip.
The Ramlila at Aishbagh which was few year’s back graced by the PM Narendra Modi has the distinction of being the place of birth of the rich tradition.
The staging of the age old Ramlila’s in the city interestingly see Muslims play key characters in the annual Ramlila. In many prominent UP towns and villages senior members of the Ramlila committees are Muslims.
Be it the Ramlila Maidan, the Aishbagh Eidgah or the Karbala Malka Jahan, the Nawabs back in the day knew what it meant to bridge the gap to boost religious cohesion.
Nawabs have had a rich history courtesy the Ramlila. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah patronised akharas which staged Ramlila. Nawab Saadat Ali Khan also took part in Ramlila. Impressed by Lord Ram’s life and ideals, Aishbagh Ramlila ground was donated by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. The ruler donated 6.5 acres land promising state assistance in organising Ramlila each year. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah helped in carry forward the legacy.
Post the 1857 rebellion, one Agarwal family formed a committee to manage the affairs.
A constitution and rule driven system works and manages the show now.
It was the gift of the Nawabi era to Lucknow that Hussainabad and Ramnagar both peacefully coexist until this day.
It is believed writer of the Ram Charit Manas, Goswami Tulsidas lived here.
He went on to pen his book Vinay Patrika and formulated narration of Ramlila. The Ramlila he conceptualized spread its wings to cities like Ayodhya, Varanasi among others.
Mumtaz Nagar in east-central UP has a rich Ramlila tradition of over a century. The Ramlila here is hosted by Muslims.
Reportedly most effigies and masks used in Ramlila are created by Muslim artisans in Uttar Pradesh.
Even Lucknow’s Bakshi Ka Talab is not far behind in bridging the Hindu Muslim divide on this joyous day.
The Hindu-Muslim bond at Bakshi Ka Talab Ramlila dates back to 1972 — the year the show started.
Many fine reads on the rich amity in UP suggest that apart from Ramlila, Krishnalila during Janmashtami, Diwali and Holi all see a rich coming together of communities.
All in all, Lucknow is a city that boasts of a culture that is all encompassing and has within its fold diverse communities, races, cultures and traditions thriving all at one place.
As a generation that is witness to ever growing communal faultlines, the city takes heart from the fact that the fissures if any have not eroded the very secular fabric that the city boasts of.
Note – Pictures sourced from the internet ( Google Images )
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