Young actors selected for prestigious Ramnagar Ramleela roles in Varanasi

The selection process for the five key roles in the world-renowned Ramnagar Ramleela concluded on Friday in Ramnagar, Varanasi. Held at the Jawahirkhana inside the Ramnagar Fort, the voice trials saw participation from 24 young boys. Following the trials, the final approval for the roles was given by members of the Kashi royal family, including Anant Narayan Singh, along with Ramleeladhikari Jai Prakash Pathak, Krishna Dutt Vyas, Shiv Dutt Vyas, and Aditya Dutt Vyas.

This year, Ansh Pandey, an eighth-grade student from Ramapur Chunar in Mirzapur district, has been selected to play the role of Lord Ram. Rudra Upadhyay, a seventh-grade student from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar (Dulhipur), will portray Goddess Sita. Both boys will be performing these prestigious roles for the first time.

Other key selections include Shreyansh Upadhyay from Prahlad Ghat in Varanasi as Bharat, Suraj Pathak from Mahmoorganj as Lakshman, and Shivansh Upadhyay from Jamalpur in Mirzapur as Shatrughna.

Training for the selected performers will commence on August 2 with the first Ganesh Puja. Under the guidance of Krishna Dutt Vyas and Shiv Dutt Vyas, the boys will undergo rigorous practice sessions at Balua Ghat Dharamshala on the banks of the Ganga and the Kali Temple premises within the fort. They will stay in the Dharamshala under strict discipline for the entire Ramleela period, which spans approximately 88 days.

The second Ganesh Puja is scheduled for September 14, followed by the grand opening of the historic Ramnagar Ramleela on September 25. Known for its unique itinerant format, the event attracts devotees and tourists from across India and abroad, eagerly awaiting this cultural spectacle.