Vignettes of Ramayana- Lankapodi Jatra Part 3: Participation and Performance

In Odisha the tradition of Ramayana has been in existence for a very long time. Vignettes of Ramayana are still visible in many temple precincts of Odisha belonging to the 6th , 7th and the 8th Century. The Ramleela that is enacted in Daspalla & Bisipada region is called Lankapodi Jatra (The Burning of Lanka). In other regions of Odisha ‘Ramleela’ is presented with similar storyline, but in Bisipada and Dasapalla area, it is called ‘Lankapodi’, because the drama ends just after Lanka is destroyed.
The text which is followed was written by Bipra Janardan in the year 1810. The speciality of this event lies in the fact that all the actors wear masks while performing their respective roles. Except for the characters like Ram, Laxman and Sita, all other characters sport a mask. The masks are made of wood and are about 200 years old. Some masks weighing 90 kilos cover not only the face but the entire body.