Varanasi: In city of Varanasi, several Muslim families have been making Ravana effigies during Dussehra every years for decades. Shamshad Khans family is one such family which has been been into the business since years. On Sunday, Khan along with his peers from Manduadih, Khojwa and Ramnagar, was busy giving finishing touches to the effigy of demon king at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) ground.Khan is the current heir of late Babu Khan, who along with his family had started making effigies of Ravana, his brother and son, way back in 1960s-70s, for the Dussehra festival at BLW. This year the festival will be celebrated on Tuesday.Explaining specification of this years effigy, Khan said, Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad will stand tall at 75 ft, 70 ft and 65 ft respectively. Materials like cane and bamboos form the skeleton of the effigies while four quintals of papers, sutli, flour, around 70 pieces of sarees, taant (china rubber) and water colours have been used in the making.Like Khan, other artisans from the community were also busy getting their effigies ready for Ravan Dahan. Carrying forward the legacy, Aabad Mohammad (42), one of Haji Ali Hussains descendant, who is known for the art of effigy making, dedicates his three months at Ramlila sites across city during the festival. "Having seen my forefathers working with dedication for Ramlila, I have developed a special affection for this festival and take some time out of my busy schedule to keep the tradition alive," says Aabad. While the artisans were busy in their works, the office bearers of BLW Vijayadashmi Samiti were busy in searching ways for further improvement in arrangements at the event. Initially, the effigy of Ravana for our Ramlila used to have a single head, but later we included the 10 head Ravana. Now, we are exploring ways to utilise metallic structure to erect more higher effigies, said general secretary, Anup Singh.We also published the following articles recentlyMuslim family designing Ravana effigies for four generations in MeerutMohd Aslam, a 64-year-old craftsman in Meerut, India, is continuing his familys tradition of making effigies for the Ramleela festivities. Aslam, who is from the Muslim community, has been in the business for over 43 years and now his four sons are assisting him. Despite communal riots and the pandemic, Aslams work has been valued by the Ram Leela committee. He believes that his craft, which is based on meticulous handwork, cannot be replaced by modern technologies. Aslam hopes that his sons will carry on the family business.40-ft waterproof Ravana effigy in RajrappaTo protect the effigies of demon king Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhkarna from bad weather, a 40-foot tall waterproof effigy of Ravana will be installed in the CCL residential colony ground in Rajrappa, Ramgarh. The decision was made by the Rajrappa Durga Puja Committee after previous incidents of rain causing problems in covering the effigies. Crafted by artisans from Gaya, Bihar, the waterproof effigies aim to ensure a successful Dussehra event.City prepares for grand Ravana Dahan on DussehraThe city of Ranchi is preparing for the Ravana Dahan celebration on Dussehra. Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna, and Meghnad will be set on fire by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The event will feature extravagant fireworks crafted by artisan Shekhar Mukherjee. Ambulance services and drinking water will be provided by local organizations. Additionally, there will be Bhangra dance performances and cultural presentations by various artists.

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