The London Ram Leela, held on October 26 and 27, captivated audiences with a vibrant rendition of the Ramayana, featuring grand performances, music, and dazzling visuals that brought the ancient epic to life.
Organized by Sutton Friends, the event took place at the Tolworth Recreation Centre, drawing thousands of participants both in-person and online, highlighting the strong community spirit and cultural pride among London’s Indian diaspora.
Sutton Friends, a community group representing over 3,000 families of Indian origin in Sutton and surrounding areas, operates under the banner “Indian Friends of Sutton.” The group is dedicated to preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage while introducing it to a broader London audience.
The event’s success was largely attributed to the tireless efforts of volunteers who managed every aspect of the program, from acting and makeup to costume design and backstage operations. Led by Praveen Kumar, the organizing team included Ashish Jain, Amol Chaudhary, Anup Kabra, Manish Sahal, Ashish Aggarwal, Abhinav Pathak, Manish Gupta, Sachin Shelke, and Bhavesh Jhaveri. Importantly, all performers were local community members, fostering a strong sense of connection and inspiring new talent within the audience.
The London Ram Leela welcomed notable guests, including Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of Overseas Friends of BJP UK and Europe; Shashi Patel, Vice President and Treasurer; and Members of Parliament Bobby Dean (Carshalton), Luke Taylor (Sutton), and Virendra Sharma (Southall). Other dignitaries included Parveen Rani, Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere; Shri Ram Ambarakar, First Secretary at the Indian High Commission in London; Ajay Kumar Thakur, Attaché (Coordination) at the Indian High Commission; and Hirdesh Gupta, Co-Founder and Director of the Indian Diaspora in the UK (IDUK).
In addition to the theatrical performances, the event embraced the Diwali spirit with food stalls offering delicious Indian cuisine and a marketplace for festival essentials. A grand fireworks display concluded each evening, illuminating the London sky in celebration.
“This year’s London Ram Leela is not just a theatrical performance but a platform to connect communities, foster cultural understanding, and celebrate the spirit of Diwali,” said Event Director Parveen Kumar. “We are deeply honored to host dignitaries and Members of Parliament, reinforcing our shared values of unity and compassion.”
Highlights of the Ram Leela included live performances that merged traditional storytelling with contemporary staging, as well as various cultural acts featuring classical and Bollywood dance routines, devotional music, and striking visual effects to enhance the narrative.
(Inputs from ANI)