How to make home made Ravan effigy for this Dussehra festival?

Dussehra festival is just around the corner and people in India are busy with the preparations for celebrating the festival. Dussehra festival denotes the victory of good over evil and during the festival of Dussehra, the stage program “Ramlila” or the play the enactment of Lord Rama’s character on the stage is conducted and the play ends by burning the effigies of the demon king. An effigy of Ravana, Meghnath (son of Ravana) and Kumbhakarna (brother of Ravana) are prepared stuffing the fire-crackers and erected in the large open grounds. The size of effigies depends on the demand where the size ranges from 60 to 80 feet in height. Every village and city across India will be having their own effigies, sporting ten heads, to be burned down to the ground.

DIY Home-made Ravana effigy

There is also demand for miniature effigies. These effigies are designed for children and it is made of newspaper and glaze paper. Now you can make your very own Raavan effigy at home, and that too in a very environment-friendly manner. You can make a big one or small one depending on your fancy. Here we will outline a way to make a mini Raavan, which you can create along with your kid.

How to Make:

• Draw an image of the Asura King on a cardboard or waste paper. The images of Raavan can be found online or in story books, so select one that you find appealing and complete a full figure sketch.
• Take three long sturdy sticks that are about 2 feet in length. The stick’s length can be bigger if you are looking to make a bigger effigy, but in that case you would need a bigger drawing on cardboard.
• Take two sticks and form a cross, with the third one placed a little below the horizontal beam. You can also employ sturdy cardboard cut-outs to make the frame. Stick the main pole into a planter filled with mud for support.
• Use a rope or twine to tie the sticks together. Raavan has 10 heads so draw a face and photocopy it ten times. Paint it colourfully and stick the ten heads on the first horizontal beam, side by side.
• The second horizontal beam is for the arms. You can use cardboard cut-outs to make arms. The vertical stick will hold the main torso and legs.
• After the whole figure is complete, tie a string of crackers around all three poles. Use old newspapers to make Raavan’s belly. They will also act as fuel the flames.
• After the tying the crackers, stick a clean sheet of paper and paint on the body of Raavan. You can use elaborate colors and designs for the ornaments and dress.
• Once the painting is complete, the effigy is ready to be fixed and burned down.

The Raavan effigy can be made in an eco-friendly manner by using only old clothes and newspapers and cardboards instead of opting for plastic and thermocol. Also, when using paints, take care to use non-toxic paints and natural coloring instead of synthetic ones.