From Canada to Chandigarh, a script editor lends a helping hand to the Sector 17 Ramleela

Mohit Datta has been a part of the Ramleela staged at Sector 17’s Parade Ground since he was a kid. Though he has moved to Canada to pursue his studies, it is an association he does not want to let go of.

Mohit Datta, who moved from Chandigarh to Canada this year to pursue a course in marketing management and professional sales, has been associated with the city’s Ramleela celebrations since he began playing different roles when he was three or four years old.

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Studying at a university in Canada, Mohit Datta’s thoughts are not far away from home, Chandigarh. Whenever the 24-year-old gets a 10-minute break from his studies, he rushes to a quiet corner to complete the work that is eating up all his free time these days – script editing for the famous Ramleela staged at Sector 17’s Parade Ground.

Datta, who moved from Chandigarh to Canada this year to pursue a course in marketing management and professional sales, has been associated with the city’s Ramleela celebrations since he began playing different roles when he was three or four years old.

“My maternal grandfather Suresh Bakshi was the Ramleela director. He passed away two years ago. Even though I moved to Canada, I want to carry forward the rich legacy my maternal grandfather always lent to this Ramleela. So I decided to lend my expertise and do the script editing from here itself,” Datta, who is studying at Lambton College, told The Indian Express.

Datta, who once won the first prize in an inter-school competition playing the role of Ravana, says he wants to ensure that the Sector 17 Ramleela – it is the only light and sound one in the Tricity area – has the best sound effects and edits, even if it means sacrificing his sleep.

“I edit the scenes according to the needs of our director Rajinder Bagga. Every year, during rehearsals, there is a need to bring in changes in scenes… Our script is recorded and I edit it using software…add music, fill in gaps, remove gaps etc,” he said.

“I remember how these were such festive days back in India. It was like Diwali for 20 days. I try to do my bit just to feel like I am a part of the festivities,” he added.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, Chandigarh. She covers Chandigarh administration and other cross beats. In this field for over a decade now, she has also received the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award by the President of India in January 2020. She tweets @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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