Cheered in Chhota Udepur, but Vadodara shuts stage to Muslim who played Lakshmana for 14 years

VADODARA: On Dussehra, Abid Sheikh drew applause in tribal Chhota Udepur for bringing the characters of Kevat and Meghnad alive on stage in a Ram Leela.In Vadodara, however, the city he calls home, the 39-year-old was unable to perform in the Ram Leela he had been associated with for nearly 14 years, after objections to his participation over his religion by right-wing groups.The contrast has left Sheikh, a science graduate who grew up fascinated by the Ramayana, grappling with an unexpected rejection from a tradition that had become an integral part of his life.For years, Sheikh played Laxman and Bharat in the Ram Leela organised by the North India Cultural Association (NICA) at Polo Ground during Dussehra. He learnt his dialogues, rehearsed for weeks and earned appreciation from audiences. His family, too, shared his commitment, giving up non-vegetarian food during the rehearsal period until the festival concluded.But the welcome he had long received on stage in Vadodara changed last year when some right-wing activists turned up during rehearsals and objected to his casting because he was a Muslim.“I played different roles in Ram Leela for around 14 years and was showered with love and appreciation by the audience. Last year, some activists suddenly turned up during rehearsals and objected to my casting because of my religion. I was shocked, as I never expected this,” Sheikh told TOI.He said the activists pressured the organisers to drop him. This year, he was not invited to perform in the Vadodara production.“Ram Leela had become a part of my life, but they did not want me anywhere near the stage,” he said.The rejection was particularly painful because his association with the epic began in childhood. After watching a cartoon based on the Ramayana, Sheikh developed a fascination for Laxman. An opportunity to perform in a school Ram Leela gave him his first taste of acting, and he continued playing characters from the epic for years.Shashikant Das, director, NICA, told TOI: “Sheikh is such a good actor and he is an ardent fan of Ramayan. He chants Hanuman Chalisa. But Bajrang Dal activists came last year and protested against his role. I argued and fought in Sheikh’s defence.”“But the management came under pressure. So, this time he wasn’t invited for the Ram Leela. It’s sad that we lost a good actor like him,” Das said and pointed out that those preparing the giant effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna at Polo Ground are also Muslim artists from Uttar Pradesh.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Vadodara | Silver Rate in Vadodara | Bank Holidays in Vadodara | Public Holidays in Vadodara | Vadodara AQI | Weather in Vadodara | Petrol Price in Vadodara | Diesel Price in Vadodara | CNG Price in Vadodara | LPG Price in VadodaraStay updated with the latest Vadodara news. Download the TOI App.