Ranchi, April 12: The capital reverberated with chants of “Jai Sri Ram, Jai Hanuman” and devotional songs blaring from loudspeakers put up by akhara committees right from dawn today.
This year, the anti-graft war cry was also heard loud and clear in Ramnavami celebrations, as akhara members collectively urged people to use the day as a new beginning and vowed to weed out corruption from society.
Probably, Anna Hazare’s fast against all-pervasive corruption finally made a dent.
“Back then, Lord Ram stood against asurs (Ravan and his kinsmen). Today, corruption and terrorism are the biggest Ravans. So, let us vow to fight them together on today’s auspicious day,” Sunil Kashyap, a senior member of Bharat Navyuvak Sangh, said as he welcomed thousands at Albert Ekka Chowk, including Union tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahay.
Sahay graced the occasion as chief guest in a traditional kurta pyjama and tilak on his forehead, but surprisingly refrained from making a speech during his 10 minute appearance.
The chowk has been the point of convergence for the capital’s akharas since 1929.
Only a handful existed then. Today, the numbers have swelled to 200 registered ones.
“Many others raise jhandas (saffron flags) in their own colonies,” reminisced the 70-year-old Kashyap.
By 5pm, the entire Main Road was painted saffron as akhara members with their tableaux from 16 different tolis (localities) started assembling.The traditional spectacle of fencing, with orchestras, enthused spectators.
“I have been coming here since 15 years for talwarbazi (sword fighting),” said Lalpur-based Yamini Sinha, a banker.
Interestingly, in many akharas, those who hold the jhandas have been doing so since generations. Ram Prasad Munda (58) who held the flag for Mahavir Mandal Akhara, said his father used to do the same, too.
“The style of the rally has changed,” he said. “Earlier, one simply took out flags with martial arts performances. Today, it is about masked artistes, live music, singers.”
Most offices and marketplaces were shut today, and all roads led to temples since 5am. Queues thinned after noon.
