Following shows in Epping, Harwich and Colchester over the summer, Ramayana came to Chelmsford CITY diversions festival in September 2014.
Performed by a cast of 4 stilt-walkers from FIPA (Foundation for Indian Performing Arts), and accompanied by dhol drummers from DEA (Dhol Enforcement Agency), this unique show was the only version of the story told on stilts in the world.
One of the greatest epics of Hindi culture, Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama's journey to rescue his wife Sita from the evil clutches of Ravan, the demon King of Lanka.
After being banished to the forest, Rama and Sita live a humble life until Ravan, the demon king fools Sita into abandoning her home. Now Rama, with the help of monkey god Hanuman, must search for Sita and prepare for battle against the demon army of Lanka.
Event Details
CITY Diversions Festival
Date: Saturday, 27 September 2014
Location: Bell Meadow Park, Chelmsford
Performance Schedule
12.30pm: Walkabout DEA Dhol Drummers
1.00pm: Walkabout by Foundation for Indian Performing Arts
2.00pm: Ramayana Performance by Foundation of Indian Performing Arts accompanied by DEA Dhol Drummers
3.00pm: Walkabouts DEA Dhol Drummers
4.30pm: Ramayana Performance by Foundation of Indian Performing Arts accompanied by DEA Dhol Drummers
6.30pm: DEA Dhol Drummers performance at Anglia Ruskin University
Event Gallery
Stilt performers depicting scenes from Ramayana
DEA Dhol Drummers providing energetic accompaniment
Families enjoying the outdoor performance
Event Highlights
- Unique stilt-walking performance
- Live dhol drumming accompaniment
- Based on the classic Hindi epic Ramayana
- Part of CITY Diversions Festival
- Family-friendly outdoor event
Production Team
- Felicity Alwell - Producer
- Indi Sandhu - SportArts4All Ltd
- Hi Ching - Fipa Cultural Events Team
- Kinetika - Edwina Rigby Dhol Drummers
- Shazad Sheikh - Eventmaster International
Featured Performance
The unique stilt-walking interpretation of the Ramayana epic
Supporting Organizations
Essex Cultural Diversity Project would like to acknowledge the following for supporting the Ramayana project:
- Essex County Council Cultural Development
- Mandy Munroe (Grand Theatre of Lemmings/Harwich Children's Carnival)
- Essex County Council Equality & Diversity
- Diane Warner (Extended Schools Co-ordinate; Harwich)
- Jo Cowan (Epping Forest Arts)
- Dorian Kelly (Colchester Carnival)
- Mark Allison (Thurrock Council)
- Belinda Farrell (Essex Book Festival)
- Seema Anand
- Liam Rich (Chelmsford City Council)
And all the schools and the young people who took part in the workshops and events for the Ramayana project over the Summer 2014.
The Global Village at Feast, Drink and Play showcased culturally diverse local and international artists in three tents featuring world music, arts, crafts, food and workshops.
A varied programme for the whole family to enjoy and participate with a finale procession leading to the Sparks will Fly performance.
Event Details
Feast, Drink & Play - Part of the Sparks will Fly Finale Event
Date: Friday, 6th July 2012
Location: Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex
Programme Schedule
Bollywood Bling Tent
7.30pm - 8.00pm: Culture Shock, leila & subliminal (supported by NGDA)
8.00pm - 8.30pm: Bollywood Revive - Live upbeat Bollywood Songs with Jazz and Michelle
8.30pm - 9.00pm: Kawa Circus from Rajasthan - Circus skills with performance of Music and dance
9.00pm - 9.30pm: Bollywood Academy Dancers - Learn and watch bollywood dance sequences
World Music Tent
7.30pm - 7.45pm: Jha Roots - Reggae, Soul and Bashment
7.45pm - 8.20pm: Daholl Kurdish Ensemble
8.20pm - 8.30pm: Jha Roots
8.30pm - 9.00pm: DrumKulture - Jembe Drumming (participatory)
9.00pm - 9.30pm: Jha Roots
Community Tent
7.30pm - 8.30pm: Ustad Ali Hafeez Khan - Upbeat Folk Qawali Songs with traditional instruments from Pakistan
8.30pm - 9.30pm: Chakardar - Tabla Master class
Event Gallery
Bollywood Bling Tent with vibrant performances
World Music Tent featuring diverse musical traditions
Finale procession to Sparks will Fly performance
Event Highlights
- Three themed tents with diverse performances
- Interactive workshops and masterclasses
- International street food
- Family-friendly activities
- Finale procession to Sparks will Fly performance
Supporting Organizations
- Essex County Council
- Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
- New Generation Development Agency
- EMAN
- Chelmsford BC events team
Cultural Showcase
Celebrating diverse cultures through music, dance, and art
