Hindu scholar Swami Vishwa Atmanand kicked off dramatic folk .

GNS Reporter, October 11 With religious fervour grand Hindu scholar Swami Vishwa Atmanand Saraswati Maharaj kicked off dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram in Rajouri. Ramlila, the enactment of the story of Lord Rama is believed to have been started by great saint Tulsidas. In some places, Ramlila is associated with the Vijayadashmi celebrations, in late September and early October and also with Ramanavami, the birthday of Lord Rama. Ramlila, basically an enactment of a myth, is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Ram Lila performance evokes a festive atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It also rich in performance crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and decoration. In Rajouri the religious function kicked off from Ramlila ground by Swami Vishwa Atmanand Saraswati Maharaj advised Hindus to follow Ram. The Ramlila in Rajouri have a predominance of 'jhankis' - tableaux pageants; the dialogue -based style with multi-lingual staging; the operatic style drawing its musical elements from the folk operas of the region. Professionals troupes called "mandalis" religiously stage the accepted performance. Ramlila will culminate on October 17 on the day of Dushera. The event also gave a message of communal harmony in Rajouri with Auqaf Islamia providing facilities to the Hindu artists to use Auqaf ground. Every year Hindus initiate Ramlia from Auqaf Islamia ground.