Indian media; Mannequins masquerading as Gods
I used to love Ramlila as a kid. Most kids do and I was no exception. But I had a misconception about the characters of Ramlila. I believed that the characters in Ramlila were the real Gods. Let me explain. I believed that, every year, during Ramlila season, the organizers just erected the stage and announced the program. Then the real Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Dasharatha etc. would come and play their part. They did not need any script, story or dialogues as it was their own life they were enacting. It may not sound rational or logical but then I was a kid, probably aged around 8 or 10. Anyway, I believed in this concept from the core of my heart. But one fine day, or rather afternoon, this deep rooted belief was shattered. I and a friend of mine, were loitering around (kids of age 8 to 10 used to do that, before satellite TV, video games and PCs took over) and went to the Ramlila ground. A couple of electricians were working on a display board having a dozen incandesce...