“The From Text to Stage: The Living Rāmlīlā” is now open at Allen Library North. The exhibit showcases the dramatic reenactment of Rāmacaritamānasa, the 16th-century epic by Gosvāmī Tulsidāsa, with a special focus on the Ramnagar Rāmlīlā of Varanasi; this Rāmlīlā integrates recitation, dramatic enactment, and tableaux (jhāṅkī).
Alongside images of other plays, the exhibit features episodes of the Rāmlīlā-Sītā Svayamvara. These are displayed in tandem with costumes, effigies, masks, and photographs, offering deep insight into the artistic and ritualistic elements of this enduring tradition. Curated by Vishnupriya Goswami, a master’s student from the Department of Asian Languages & Literature, and presented by South Asian Studies librarian Deepa Banerjee, the exhibit also emphasizes the pivotal role of the patron in these performances.
The exhibit runs until April 23, with walkthroughs by Goswami on April 9 and 18 at 5:30 p.m. Visitors can find the exhibit in the glass case at the top of the stairs on the first floor of the library.