Bhopal, Apr 13: First-ever International Ramayan Mela would be held at Bhopal in the last week of May by state government's Culture Department with the cooperation of Adivasi Lok Kala Parishad and Tulsi Sahitya Akademi.

Simultaneous presentation of different forms of Ramlila traditions of India and styles of staging Ram Katha in South-East Asian countries would mark the Mela. Staging of Ramlila has been prevalent in those countries since long and their Ram Katha in belle form is world-famous. The Kala Mandalis (Artistes' Troupes) of Bali (Indonesia), Malaysia, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are being invited to attend this Mela.

Special lectures on Ramayan, recitation of Ram Katha and its staging would also be delivered on this occasion by those who are working in this field in India and South-East Asian countries. An exhibition would also be organised where masks, crowns and attires used in staging of 'Ramayan Chitra Phalak' and other styles of Ram Katha would be displayed.

It may be mentioned that Madhya Pradesh is the first state where the Culture Department had started first National Ramkatha Mela 25 years ago. All the folk styles of Ram Katha were presented at this Mela. Now this tradition is being extended on global level with International Ramayan Mela.

Ashirwad ceremony in Gurudwara

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Apr 13: On the occasion of completing 101 days of religious classes the students who secured positions in Gurumati exam were felicitated here on April 13,2008 on Sunday in the morning at 10.30 at Gurudwara Nanaksar, Hamidia Road.

Governor, Dr Balram Jakhar, Commercial Tax Minister, Babulal Gour, Mayor Sunil Sood and Dr Roop Singh the additional Saktar of Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Amritsar felicitated the children.

Two students who stood first in Gurumati exam and 24 students were given flight ticket free of cost and the 40 students who got second position in the exam were given railway ticket free of cost to and fro Bhopal-Delhi.

The governor blessed the students who are going to take darshan of Delhi gurudhams.