Back to Story
Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, sitting to the right of the partition, waits with others to go onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, sitting to the right of the partition, waits with others to go onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar, 65, sings from the music pit during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar, 65, sings from the music pit during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar, 65, gives instructions to the actors backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar, 65, gives instructions to the actors backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors rehearse their lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors rehearse their lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, right, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, rehearses his lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, right, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, rehearses his lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A makeup artist gets an actor ready backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A makeup artist gets an actor ready backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Hitanshi Jha, 21, center, playing the character of Hindu god Rama's wife Sita, gets ready backstage for Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Hitanshi Jha, 21, center, playing the character of Hindu god Rama's wife Sita, gets ready backstage for Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors take off their makeup off backstage after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors take off their makeup off backstage after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A child reacts as Vikas Sirswal, 32, playing the character of the demon king Ravana, walks past after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A child reacts as Vikas Sirswal, 32, playing the character of the demon king Ravana, walks past after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Hitanshi Jha, 21, an actor playing the character of Sita, second right, takes dinner with other actors after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Hitanshi Jha, 21, an actor playing the character of Sita, second right, takes dinner with other actors after performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor rehearses his lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor rehearses his lines backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Vikas Sirswal, 32, right, playing the character of the demon king Ravana and Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita perform onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Vikas Sirswal, 32, right, playing the character of the demon king Ravana and Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita perform onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor dressed as a deer waits for the cue to go onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor dressed as a deer waits for the cue to go onstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, left, talks to Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita backstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, left, talks to Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita backstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors perform onstage in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors perform onstage in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Production assistants sort costumes backstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Production assistants sort costumes backstage during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Characters playing the Hindu God Rama and his brother Laxmana touch the feet of the theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar at end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Characters playing the Hindu God Rama and his brother Laxmana touch the feet of the theatre director Rakesh Ratnakar at end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor takes directions backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

An actor takes directions backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Children performing the characters of foot soldiers in Vanar Sena, or monkey brigade, wait backstage for their turn to perform in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Children performing the characters of foot soldiers in Vanar Sena, or monkey brigade, wait backstage for their turn to perform in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors get ready backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors get ready backstage before the start of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, rest at their rented accommodation in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Actors performing in Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, rest at their rented accommodation in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, left, rests backstage as Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita, ties her hair at the end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ashutosh Agnihotri, 23, playing the character of Hindu god Rama, left, rests backstage as Hitanshi Jha, 21, playing the character of Sita, ties her hair at the end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A production assistant holds a fire stick sitting behind Vikas Sirswal, 32, who is playing the demon king Ravana onstage, during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi,India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A production assistant holds a fire stick sitting behind Vikas Sirswal, 32, who is playing the demon king Ravana onstage, during Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, in New Delhi,India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Two actors who played Hindu god Rama, sitting, and his brother Laxman, standing next to him in the center, wait on the stage at the end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, as event organizers and donors pray to them, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Two actors who played Hindu god Rama, sitting, and his brother Laxman, standing next to him in the center, wait on the stage at the end of the third day of Ramleela, a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, as event organizers and donors pray to them, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)