Ramleela (Ramdilla) and Phagwa (Holi or Festival of Colours)
Ramleela is an enactment of the exploits of Lord Rama (an incarnation of God in human form) as he appeared on earth many thousands of years ago.This Leela (or play) illustrates the various occurences that took place during His descent in Treata Yug (the period in time of Lord Rama's descent) including the deliverence of His devotees,the redemption of sinners, His blessings to the saints and sages His various lessons on humanity and of course His restoration of Dharma or the righteous way of life. 
Ramleela or Ramdilla, an annual re-enactment of the Tulsidas’ Ramayan, is the oldest open air theatre in the Caribbean. The event is held during the Hindu observance of “Nav Raatam - nine nights of the Divine Mothers.”
This 10-day serialised play recounts the journey of the divine king, Rama and his consort, Sita, on earth; and begins with a ceremonial procession of the characters which includes deities, kings, princes, sages, soldiers, monkey troops, forest dwellers and the army of the evil ten-headed king, Ravana. It is the story of Rama’s willing acceptance of 14 years exile in order to uphold His father’s word and eventual victory in war over the evil king.
In September or October, as winter approachs, it’s time for Ramleela, the longest-running street theatre event in the Caribbean. For nine days, at about 20 venues around the island, communities come together to act out stories from Hindu scripture. Texts from the Ramayan are read to music, while brightly-costumed dancers perform the narrative. Ramleela culminates with the burning in effigy of the defeated villain Rawan, a graphic reminder that good triumphs over evil.
Ramleela is a dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama, which ends in a ten-day battle between him and the ten-headed Ravan, as described in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Brought to the West Indies by East Indians when they came as indentured labourers in the post-Emancipation era, over 165 years ago, this play is considered the oldest open-air theatre in the Caribbean. It waned in popularity in the 1970s and 80s, but today has grown tremendously, with about 35 Ramleela sites, and has become more organised, with a National Ramleela Council to regulate the celebrations and source funding for several community groups to stage the play. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that her government intended to construct the country’s first Ramleela Centre on the grounds of the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas in central Trinidad.
The excitement is building as actor goes to war with the demon king Ravana in the unfolding drama of Ramleela this weekend. This deeply religious festival, which is being enacted in many countries of the world is very popular in Trinidad and Tobago.
Fifty-foot effigies of Ravana will be constructed at many grounds around the country. The festival will culminate in the burning of the statues as a symbol of the destruction of the evil Ravana.
The final scene of the drama depicts the battle between Rama’s and Ravana’s armies as the people of Ayodhya await the destruction of the evil king. Starting at 4pm today and continuing until Sunday the saga will play itself out, ending when Rama shoots a deadly arrow at Ravana.
In communities heavily populated by Hindus, savannahs and recreational grounds become the perfect setting for the ten nights of Ramleela. Villagers become actors, craftsmen, choreographers, and costume designers to bring to life the story, which involves an elaborate cast, which could number upward of 100 people, playing princes, princesses and deities, among others. The play or leela, climaxes with the burning of an effigy of Ravan, in the symbolic triumph of good over evil. At every Ramleela staging, there is an undeniable sense of community spirit as villagers fraternise while the play unfolds.
The open-air performance area is cordoned off and ritualized as sacred “Ramdilla ground” and invested with the names of kingdoms, cities, forests, rivers, mountains and pilgrimage centres associated with the episodes and Rama’s travels.
Bare-footed actors called paatras (vessels) observe ritual disciplines before they enter the ground. Ancient characters in costumes of yellow, red, blue and black dance to the strong rhythms of tassa drums as they enact the episodes which are sung in Hindi and narrated in English from a raised platform situated to the east.
Check newspapers for open invitations to Ramayan Yagnas - discourse, music and feast. Ramleela occurs at several venues including Hindu Schools, St. Augustine, Aranguez Ground, and Baal (Children’s) Ramdilla, Raghunanan Road, Enterprise.
National Ramleela Council of Trinidad and Tobago (NRCTT) is working to promote, provide and develop the Ramleela Festival and to unify all Groups in Trinidad and Tobago under the NRCTT and be recognised as the sole body representing Ramleela Groups in Trinidad and Tobago. Contact NRCTT - Email: i...@nrcttt.org , Website: http://www.nrctt.org/
Phagwa (Holi or the Festival of Colours)
The Hindu festival of Phagwa is also celebrated throughout Trinidad as people journeyed to different venues to partake of this fun-filled, colourful festival. Known also as Holi or the Festival of Colours, Phagwa is celebrated throughout many communities across Trinidad, where the throwing of coloured powder and coloured water on each other, forms a central part of the festival.
The history and meaning of the Hindu festival of Phagwa from its origins in India to its colourful manifestations in Trinidad and Tobago. He explained that Phagwa is connected to the story within the Hindu scriptures with the child devotee Prahalad, whose tyrannical father wanted to prevent him and the people of his kingdom from worshiping God. However, Prahalad stood up to his father and eventually he had victory which symbolizes the victory of good over evil and righteous over unrighteous. He also linked Phagwa to the Spring festival celebrated in Northern India in which concepts of life and renewal are celebrated.
Just as their Indian counterparts, Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago celebrate the festival with colours, songs, music and dance. A variety of water colours are mixed and sprayed on all those who participate in the celebrations, till they become unrecognizable. People exchange sweets and greetings with each other. Hard feelings or animosity, if any, are also washed down with the coloured waters of Holi and general harmony prevails.
Phagwa celebrates the Hindu New Year in India, heralding the arrival of spring an the triumph life over death. This festival, also called Holi, like Trinidad's Carnival, it is a communal, joyous event in which participants release inhibitions, throw bright liquid or purple colored powder on each other with a spirit that's both naughty and merry at the same time. Phagwa is celebrated on the first day of the full moon in the month of Phagun (February to early March).
The festival has been hosted at venues such as Knowles Street Recreation Ground, Curepe, Orange Field Hindu School Grounds, Sangre Grande Hindu school grounds, Pierre Road Recreation Grounds, Felicity Recreation Grounds, Tarouba Recreation Grounds, Lower Mc Bean Recreation Grounds, Munroe Road Temple Grounds, Rousillac Recreation Grounds, Fredrick Settlement Mandir, Couva Recreation Grounds, Parvati Girls Hindu College, Rio Claro Temple Grounds, Soledad Recreation Grounds, Avidesh Samaroo Park, Endeavour, and the Tunapuna Hindu School Grounds. Phagwa is also celebrated in other countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Suriname, Guyana and Fiji.
Major Features of the Phagwa (Holi or Festival of Colours)
- Includes dance, music, songs and colors. A special type of folk song called Chowtal is sung during the course of the festival and the music is usually played with only two instruments. The dholak (a hand drum) and the majeera (cymbals or percussion instrument) are the only two instruments used. Chowtal songs are sung rather loudly and are high pitched. Fast paced music invites people to shake their hips and sway with the rhythm.
- The music is fast paced and provokes dancing and the Chowtal songs are sung rather loudly and are high pitched. Together, they produce a rich cultural blend of talents and skills. It is not uncommon that during the festivities enemies embrace each other and forget their differences, if but for a short while.
- A Carnival-like atmosphere pervades as willing participants are sprayed with a variety of coloured dyes. A variety of colored powder are added to water to prepare the mixture. On the eventful day, colors are applied to the others in such a way that they become unrecognizable.
- A variety of special Holi dishes are prepared at the houses of the Indians in Trinidad. Sweets & greetings are exchanged between the people. People take this festival as wonderful opportunity to get out of all types of enmity and animosity.
- Various ceremonies are held at different parts of Trinidad. Prince Prahalad, stately king Hrinia appear in delicate attire appear during the Holi. Purple red abber (dye) is sprinkled every where. It is believed that occasion marks the victory of good over bad and a general sense of harmony prevails in the atmosphere.
- Another important feature of the Holi celebration in Trinidad is the Chowtal””a traditional folk song. This special folk song is sung during this festival. The Chowtal is generally played with two instruments””the majeera and the dholak.
- Majeera is a percussion instrument and the dholak is a hand drum. The Chowtal songs are very high pitched and sung very loudly. The high-pitched music sets the perfect mood of the festival.
- Many people join the celebrations, being attracted by this music and dance with the rhythm. In recent times, however a different type of music, called Chutney is replacing the traditional Chowtal
Ref.:
http://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-111/ramleela-epic-village-stage
http://www.triniview.com/blog/?p=441
http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2011/10/05/new-features-promised-ram...
http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,129183.html
http://www.holidayshub.com/holi/celebration-trinidad.html
http://www.search.co.tt/trinidad/phagwa/what2.html