Amritsar, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The first Amritsar performance of the acclaimed theatrical production ‘Hamare Ram’ drew a packed audience at the Dasmesh Auditorium of Guru Nanak Dev University on Wednesday, with renowned actor Ashutosh Rana earning enthusiastic appreciation for his portrayal of Ravana.
The Punjab Government is presenting 41 shows of the play across 12 cities as part of an initiative aimed at showcasing the state’s cultural heritage and traditional values. In Amritsar, four performances are being held on September 16 and 17.
Before the opening performance, Amritsar Central MLA Dr. Ajay Gupta, Amritsar West MLA Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Amritsar North Assembly constituency in-charge S. Karamjit Singh Rintu, District Planning Committee Chairman S. Gurpartap Singh Sandhu and Deputy Commissioner S. Dalwinderjit Singh jointly lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the programme.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Ajay Gupta said the production was being used as a medium to present the teachings and ideals associated with Lord Shri Ram to the public through theatre. He said the initiative seeks to highlight values such as truth, righteousness, compassion, unity and harmony.
Dr. Gupta said all four Amritsar shows are being organised at the Dasmesh Auditorium, with two performances each day. The first show on September 16 was scheduled from 2 pm to 5:30 pm, while the evening performance was scheduled from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Two more shows are scheduled for September 17. Recent reports have also confirmed the two-day, four-show schedule at the venue.
He said the performances have been kept free of cost to enable people from different sections of society to attend. According to information released ahead of the shows, entry is through passes, with arrangements made for audiences to register through designated channels.
Dr. Gupta said initiatives of this nature can help introduce younger generations to India’s cultural, spiritual and ethical traditions. He added that presenting such themes through large-scale theatre provides an opportunity to connect contemporary audiences with traditional values.
Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu said ‘Hamare Ram’ presents the spiritual and ethical dimensions of the Ramayana through a theatrical format. He said the ideals of truth, righteousness, compassion and harmony associated with Lord Shri Ram continue to hold relevance.
Pranav Dhawan, Majha Zone in-charge of the Sanatan Seva Samiti, said the production has been mounted by Felicity Theatre and features Ashutosh Rana as Ravana and Rahul R. Bhuchar as Lord Ram. The production combines elaborate sets, LED visuals, music, choreography, costumes and special effects to create a large-scale theatrical presentation.
The production offers a contemporary theatrical interpretation of the Ramayana while retaining its spiritual themes. According to information shared ahead of the Amritsar shows, the narrative also adopts a distinctive perspective on the epic, incorporating elements involving Luv and Kush and the viewpoint of the Sun God.
The opening Amritsar show kept spectators engaged from the beginning to the final curtain. Powerful performances, dramatic dialogues, music, visual effects and elaborate stagecraft combined to create an immersive experience.
Ashutosh Rana’s portrayal of Ravana emerged as one of the highlights of the performance, drawing repeated applause from the audience. The production’s visual presentation and emotional sequences also received an enthusiastic response from the packed auditorium.
‘Hamare Ram’ has previously been staged in several Punjab cities, including Mohali, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. Further performances are scheduled in other cities as part of the Punjab-wide programme.
Former minister Prof. Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Additional Deputy Commissioner Pallavi Mishra, SDM Alka Kalia, SDM Rajnish Arora, other officials and a large number of spectators were present during the Amritsar performance.
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