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@article{183081,
        author = {Dr. Akash Dwivedi and Sachin Kumar Dwivedi},
        title = {The Cultural of Ram Through Folk Performances in Uttar Pradesh},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {3},
        pages = {252-262},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=183081},
        abstract = {The cultural narrative of Lord Ram holds a profound place in the religious, spiritual, and socio-political consciousness of India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where it is deeply embedded in the region’s folk traditions. This research explores how the figure of Ram has been interpreted, performed, and preserved through various folk performance traditions such as Ramlila, Biraha, Kaharwa, Bhojpuri folk songs, and Nautanki. These performative art forms not only serve as a vehicle for transmitting the Ramayana's core messages of dharma (duty), maryada (ethics), and bhakti (devotion) but also embody local cultural expressions, regional dialects, and community beliefs. The study critically examines the ways in which these performances blend the sacred with the popular, creating a dynamic cultural space where myth and modernity coexist. By analyzing scripts, songs, costumes, staging techniques, and audience reception, the paper sheds light on how these folk traditions localize the Ram narrative and reinterpret it across generations. The study also emphasizes the role of oral transmission, community participation, and the regional vernacular in sustaining these traditions in the digital age.Furthermore, this research investigates the socio-cultural functions of folk performances depicting Ram, highlighting their roles in community bonding, moral instruction, and cultural continuity. It considers the transformations these traditions have undergone due to socio-political influences, religious movements, media interventions, and urban migration. The paper pays special attention to how folk performances act as both a resistance to and a negotiation with dominant religious discourses and commercial entertainment forms. In the contemporary context, the research analyzes whether these performances are merely surviving or evolving by adapting to digital platforms and modern aesthetics. Through qualitative methods including field observations, interviews with performers, and textual analysis, the study uncovers the resilience and adaptability of these cultural forms. Ultimately, this paper posits that folk performances in Uttar Pradesh are not just theatrical renditions of Ram’s life but are powerful cultural mechanisms that reflect, reinforce, and sometimes challenge the collective consciousness and religious identity of the communities involved. By tracing the cultural journey of Ram through these traditional art forms, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between folklore, faith, and regional identity in India’s heartland.},
        keywords = {Ram, Ramlila, Cultural, Folk, Traditions, Ramayana},
        month = {July},
        }