VARANASI: If one is of the opinion that Ramayan Mandalis have become an obsolete thing for the youth of the present era and that the age old tradition of group Ramayan chanting is rapidly vanishing from Indian cities and villages, meet a Ramayan Mandali from Mauritius.

The Ramayan Mandali was in the city to recite verses from the epic at Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur auditorium, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Friday. The programme was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The mandali, comprising mainly youngsters in the age group of 6 to 30 years, has popularised Ramayan recital not only in the different cities of Mauritius but even in other countries. According to the regional officer, ICCR,

Anuraag Singh, prior to coming to Varanasi, the group has already performed in Rishikesh and Haridwar and has another performance due in Delhi and Bhopal.

Group leader, Cullychurn Shreedanand shared, "Although the Hindus at Mauritius have maintained their traditions till date, but there was a time when we realised that our culture was in danger. The group was then formed named as 'Esperance Trebuchet Hindu Cultural Association' on the name of our village in Mauritius. The group is now 12 years old and around 500 Mauritian of North Indian origin are its members at present," informed Shreedanand.

He further informed, "It is important for each member of our association to get acquainted with Ramayan and Ramacharitmanas. When a child reaches the age of two, we at our village familiarise the child with the epic through text and pictures. In fact, the children aged between 2 to 5 years have their own mandali, 'Ashok Vatika' while the mandali of children in the age group of 6 to 18 years is called 'Kalyug Ramayan Mandali.' These mandalis perform as and when the need arises. Indian classical vocal as well as instrumental music including the folklore are taught to children beyond the regular class room education".

The group is looking forward for an exchange programme with the Indian cities to revive and encourage the Ramayan reciting in world. Dressed in the white coloured traditional Indian outfit, the Mandali performs on the crisp music of traditional Indian instruments like Tabla, Harmonium, Majira, Chimta. According to the lead singer, Amal Perteub, while reciting the texts, they keep both, the traditional and modern ways of reciting Ramayan in their mind. "There is a traditional style in which our ancestors used to recite, while there is a contemporary style followed in present. We have tried to learn and follow both the kind of styles during the performance," he said.

Another lead singer, Vidushi Ramtohul explained, "We also give voluntary performance by reciting different kaands and verses of Ramayan on special occasions like birthday, marriage ceremony, condolence meet and inaugurations. Besides, we also recite Hanuman Chalisa and other religious texts and have won various competitions of recitals." The mandali has plans to organise Ramleela in future. They will also perform in Europe and South Africa this year.