Context:
The tradition of performing Ram Leela is still carried in Trinidad and Tobago islands by Indian Diaspora, who migrated to the island as indentured laborers, from India.
About Ram Leela:
- Literally means “Rama’s play”.
- A dramatic re-enactment of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas.
- Performed in northern India during the festival of Dussehra.
- A series of scenes that include a song, Narration, Recital, and Dialogue.
- Included in the UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2008)
Who were indentured labourers?
- These were labourers that the British recruited to work in their plantations across different colonies on account of abolition of Slave trade in 1834 in the British Empire.
- Often referred to as Girimityas.
- Mostly from the states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
- Settled in 19 colonies of the British including Fiji, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Guyana, Malaysia, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.
- Abolition of Indentured labour –
- In 1916, Madan Mohan Malviya moved a resolution in the Indian Legislative Council for the abolition of the indenture system.
- Later, it was officially abolished by British government in 1917.
- In South Africa, under the Smuts Gandhi Settlement (1914), Gandhiji obtained a waiver from Poll- tax for the indentured labourers.
- Significance – Contributing to the global dissemination of Indian culture through the construction of temples dedicated to Indian deities and the continued observance of Indian festivals and rituals.
Trinidad and Tobago:
- Location – Southernmost part of the Caribbean.
- 2 main islands – Trinidad and Tobago
- Has distinctive Creole traditions and cuisines.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following pairs:
1. Garba : Gujarat
2. Mohiniattam : Odisha
3. Yakshagana : Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is / are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
