The cast of Ram Leela arrived early, giving themselves several hours to transform Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir into a small theater. Lighting, sound, backdrop, makeup, and costumes, they arrived with virtually everything needed. What they didn't have they invented.

The creativity and ingenuity was amazing to watch. Folding tables, covered with colorful saris, created stage exits. The Mandir's office and library became green rooms.Based upon Goswami Tulsi Das's "Ram Charitmanas," the play, which lasts for 10 nights in India, was condensed into three hours. All sound was played on DVD, with the story being narrated in Hindi in the background. As they lip-synced their lines, the actors effectively conveyed the story.

Emotions and action were dramatically portrayed. Detailed costumes and professional make-up completed the transformation. The play began with all of the actors on stage offering arati to Rama, played by Ashwami Kumar, who stood with Lakshman, played by Yogesh Kumar, at this side.

The most important parts of the Ramayana were portrayed in each short scene. Many of the actors including Surinder Pal Vicky, Jagan Nath Bains, Poonam Lubhana, Madhu Bala, Mohan Kamboj, Atmaqn Singh, Amrinder Singh Bahwa, Mandeep Lucky, Sukhdip Kaura, Rajender Singh, and Mukesh Sharma played several roles. Dressed in an ornate costume in gold and black, B.N. Sharma brought the character of Ravana to life. Beautiful Bhawna made a most convincing Sita. Skillfully applied make-up transformed Bhupal Singh into Hanuman. Sanjeev Kumar, in charge of light and sound, worked the lighting during the battle scenes and a smoking machine to create special effects.

The script was written by famous television personality B.N. Sharma. Rajiv Mehta, who also played the parts of Bharat and Vibishan, directed. International promoter with Taj Mahal Entertainers, Dilbag Bangar organized the first US appearance of this Theater Arts Chandigarh production. Local organizers, Roshan Khandpur of Radhika Imports along with Kumar Jawar of India Glendale's Sweets & Spices liked the idea of presenting Ram Lila during this time of year, when so many festivals occur. "It was the perfect time," admits Khandpur.

For one weekend in Southern California, the Ram Lila began Friday night at the Riverside Temple and continued each night with appearances at Reseda High School on Saturday and Jain Center of Southern California on Sunday. The play next moves to Fresno and Sunnyvale's Hindu Temple on October 21.