Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh says emphasis must be placed on Ramleela because it is an integral part of T&T's cultural landscape. He said so on Sunday night at the opening of the auditorium of the Dow Village Ramleela Committee.
He said the facility at Dow Village, California, was the only dedicated Ramleela facility in T&T which had a history dating back to 1880 when the first celebrations took place. Indarsingh said last year the committee received the Chaconia (Gold) Medal after which it was decided to spend $1 million to upgrade the facility. He said it also would be used for several community meetings and various activities.
Celebrations culminated on Sunday night with the with the burning of an effigy of Rawan, an evil king who underwent an epic battle with Lord Rama as told in the Hindu holy scriptures of the Ramayan.