After winning hearts across several Canadian cities—Etobicoke, Brampton, Oakville, London, and Richmond Hill—Team Dhishum is all set to bring the grandeur of Ramleela to the capital city of Canada, Ottawa!
This year, to celebrate the festival of Dussehra, Team Dhishum staged a grand Ramleela Mahotsav at Toronto’s Sringeri Temple and in Ottawa’s Walter Baker Park. Organized by Radio Dhishum, the production captivated not only the Indian diaspora but also audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The life story of Lord Ram was brought to life through a mesmerizing fusion of dance, drama, and music that touched the hearts of all who attended. With breathtaking sets, cinematic light and sound design, and modern VFX special effects, audiences were transported into the epic world of the Ramayan. Scenes such as the Ram-Ravan battle, Meghnath’s illusions, Hanuman’s journey to Lanka, Ram’s exile, Bharat-Milap, and Sita’s abduction left the crowd both spellbound and deeply moved.
“Ramleela is not just a performance; it is the heartbeat of Indian culture, a timeless saga of love, courage, and devotion,” said Director Somya Mishra, who seven years ago brought this tradition to Canadian soil. This year, rehearsals began in June, with a special focus on involving Canadian children during their summer vacation. The aim: to inspire the younger generation to embrace the values of Lord Ram in their everyday lives and strengthen their cultural roots.
Over 95 performers, including 35 children and 60 adults, participated in the show—ranging from 74-year-old Yashpal Sharma to 3-year-old Dev. Their dedication and passion lit up the stage.
This year’s cast featured:
Lord Ram – Vikram Singh (Lucknow)
Lakshman – Ivan
Hanuman – Yash Patel
Ravan – Siva
Kumbhkaran – Sachin Rampal
Sita – Somya Mishra (Lucknow)
Young Ram & Little Hanuman – Veer Aryan Singh (Lucknow)
Little Sita – Vallaary Mishra (Lucknow)
Queen Sunayana – Poonam Kasliwal (Aligarh)
The audience praised the event for keeping children connected to their heritage, traditions, and moral values, despite the busy lives of immigrant families abroad. Many attendees shared that Team Dhishum has been doing extraordinary work in bridging generations through culture.
Over the past seven years, Ramleela in Canada has reached more than 700,000 people and continues to grow in popularity, becoming a cultural landmark for the South Asian community and beyond.
Team Dhishum is a collective of Indo-Canadian artists, actors, photographers, and volunteers who dedicate their time and creativity to promoting Indian art and culture in Canada. With a unique blend of tradition and innovation, the group has been a pioneer in staging Canada’s first Ramleela with an all-Canadian cast, inspiring youth and strengthening cultural ties.