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Naina Mishra
JO dharma ko jaan gaya, uske liye jaat kuch nahi rehti (for those who understand religion, caste does not matter), says Idham Khan who has been associated with Mani Majra Ramlila for more than two decade.
Forty-year-old Khan has been an ardent fan of Ramlila since he was six. Over the years, Khan has played roles of Shravan Kumar, Vishwamitra and Lakshmana. This year, he is playing the part of Dasharatha.
The Mani Majra resident, while recollecting his early days, said, “The 10-day period of Navratras and Ramlila is as enticing as it was two decades ago.”
Khan says that he has lived every character of Ramlila and feels that there is something to learn from every character. “Ramlila teaches us the sacrifice of a brother, how a son abandons the comfort of the palace to fulfil his father’s words and how good deeds conquer the evil.”
Khan performs namaz five times a day. For him, religion is just a way of life. “Who created religion? We ourselves define its rules. True dharma is to do good and be good. People should not fight in the name of religion. They should spread brotherhood. This is what Ramlila preaches,” he said.
His brothers Taj Ali and Miraj Khan also have been an integral part of the Mani Majra Ramlila.
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