Jalandhar’s streets will soon come alive with towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana, and Meghnada, crafted by a team of Muslim artisans from Agra, highlighting the city’s vibrant Dasehra celebrations.
Shahid Sayyad, 45, an experienced artisan from Kiraoli town near Agra, has been making Dasehra effigies for 25 years. He arrived in Jalandhar two months ago with his wife, two sons, and a team of 10 skilled artisans to continue the craft he learned from his Ustaad as a teenager. Over this period, Sayyad has completed 12 sets of effigies — six for Jalandhar and six for Ferozepur.
“Religion is no barrier in the life of an artist,” Sayyad said. “For people like me who work hard and live hand to mouth, matters of faith take a backseat. Our priority is always to avail a chance to earn during the festivities to sustain our families.”
He added that a set of three effigies, each standing between 70 and 90 feet, sells for Rs 1.5 lakh. “The raw materials — frames, coloured papers, and paints — have all become expensive. There is a lot of precision designing involved, which is all our hard labour,” he noted.
Sayyad plans to return home around October 2 or 3. “Back home, we sell glass bangles. My father was a hawker who sold seasonal items like roasted groundnuts. But I have trained my kids in this craft. My two married sons, who are here with me, have mastered the skills needed. They too need this work for additional income for their families,” he said.
Dasehra in Jalandhar is celebrated at 14 locations across the city, attracting thousands of visitors. Key sites include Sain Dass School, Ladowali Road, Basti Sheikh, Jalandhar Cantt, Adarsh Nagar, Basti Peer Daad, Master Tara Singh Nagar, Railway Quarters, and Dhan Mohalla. The tallest effigy, at Sain Dass School, stands 80-90 feet and is visible from a distance. Seating has been arranged for around 30,000 spectators, and the stage, made of steel, rises seven feet to ensure visibility for everyone.
Early in the day, a shobha yatra features over 250 performers playing roles such as Ram and Laxman. Eleven horses lead the procession through Lahoria Mandir in Mitha Bazaar, moving via Jaggu Chowk, Bharion Bazaar, Mai Hiran Gate, Circular Road, and Balmiki Gate towards Sain Dass School.
“Each year, organising these festivities is a labour of love,” said Tarsem Kapur, who has coordinated Jalandhar’s Dasehra celebrations for 36 years.
