Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, while inaugurating the 7th edition of the International Ramayana Fair at the historic Purana Qila on Mathura Road, Delhi, said that after a long wait of hundreds of years, before the consecration of the idol of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya, the International Ramayana Fair will be held in the country’s capital. This event of Ramayana Festival is a moment of pride for every Ram devotee and every countryman.
She said that this year we are connecting this fair organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations with every city of the country where Shri Ram is associated, this festival is also being organized there, but in 2025 we will We will organize this Ramayana fair in many other countries of the world. On this occasion, Mrs. Lekhi said that artists from seven different countries will stage Ramlila in their respective countries on this stage in front of you.
During this, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi further said that Ramayana is an epic that inspires faith and patience. The fair celebrates the vibrant cultural expressions of Ramayana traditions and is a fusion of art, dance and history influenced by the Indian epic from across the world. There is so much more to see and learn at this festival. In this, exhibitions of art and culture of seven countries can be seen.
Agnihotri brothers gave a musical presentation in the program of the first day of Ramayana Festival. Apart from this, ‘Ram Ki Shakti Puja’ – a mesmerizing Ramayana dance drama led by Vyomesh Shukla was presented. ‘Phra-Lak Phra-Lam’ – A captivating Ramayana performed by the Luang Prabang Royal Ballet Theater group of Laos. Cultural presentations related to Ramayana from Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Cambodia and other countries can also be seen in the fair.
ICCR is celebrating the year 2024 as ‘Year of Connecting the World through Ramayana’. In this, the diverse and magnificent cultural expressions of Ramayana traditions seen globally will be showcased through various programmes.