Jammu

Illumination in Durga Puja pandals, the echo of music and the busyness of sculpture making - all add to the festive colour. But behind these preparations, there is a story that highlights art, brotherhood and centuries-old harmony.

This is the story of Muslim artisans from Meerut who have been coming to Jammu for the past 40 years for making giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnadh for Dussehra. Every year, when the Ramlila scenes and preparations for the Ravana Dahan begin, these skilled artisans from the villages of Meerut head to Jammu in a caravan.

Mohammad Ghiyasuddin, who has reached Jammu with his colleagues this year too, says that his group consists of Hindu and Muslim artisans. 

"We have 36 Hindu brothers and 16 Muslim brothers from the same village. Everyone works together to make the effigies. It is not just art but a symbol of unity."

Although this time they have reached Jammu five or six days late, and since they had less time to complete their work, they worked with renewed vigour to prepare the statues on time.

Dussehra is a festival when the effigies of Ravana, the King of Lanka , who had abducted Sita, wife of Lord Ram, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnadh are burnt as a ritual of their cremation. It, however, is seen as a symbolic victory of good over evil.

According to Ghiyasuddin, it is just a skill that anyone can learn. "The aim was never to create a gap between Hindus and Muslims. We work together and that is our real strength." These artisans carve idols with their own hands that later light up the pandals in different districts of Jammu and Kashmir with light and colour.

When effigies of Ravana are burnt in the open ground of Jammu on the occasion of Dussehra, they will not only symbolise the victory of good over evil but also send a message that society can be united not by caste and religion but by cooperation and brotherhood. 

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Surely, these artisans from Meerut will make Dussehra a celebration that is a shining example of the colour, art and unity of not just Hindus but of the entire India.