Mohali, Oct. 18 -- Ramlila in the tricity does not end at the city's boundaries. Each year, people travel back from abroad or make long journeys from other states to be part of the tradition.

For some, the journey home means stepping into a character they have played for years. For others, it is about carrying forward a family tradition that began generations ago. And then there are those who find their place behind the scenes, away from the applause, ensuring the show goes on.

The distances may run into thousands of kilometres, but the pull of Ramlila remains strong enough to bring them back.

Commitment to the role

For Shivani, a former journalist now living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), that connection has meant arranging he...