Lucknow, Sept. 29 -- As Dussehra approaches and Ramleelas unfold across the city, one of the most intriguing characters to watch isn't always the righteous Ram or the devoted Hanuman - it's Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka. Who are the men who breathe life into this character on stage year after year in Lucknow's vibrant Ramleela tradition? They are not just performers; they are storytellers - men who have dedicated decades to portraying this complex character. For Lucknow's Ravanas, this isn't just a yearly performance-it's a legacy. Take Asheesh Prakash Srivastava, 57, for instance. He has been playing Ravana at the Mausamganj Ramleela for 36 years. "In the Ramayana, Ravana is not just a villain-he's a symbol of internal conflict," Srivastava explains. "At many places, the battle is not just between Ram and Ravan, but within ourselves-between our virtues and vices. That's what I try to portray every time I step on to the stage." His approach to the character isn't just theatrical. It's philosophical. "Ravana is deeply knowledgeable, he's a great scholar, a warrior, a Shiva devotee. I want the audience to see both his arrogance and his brilliance." Pawan Kumar Tewari, 55 , who has played Ravana in Khadra's Ramleela for the last 30 years, admits with a grin, "Sometimes, Ravana gets more applause than Ram." Why? "Because people are fascinated by power and complexity. Ram is calm and ideal; Ravana is fierce, unpredictable. There's a dramatic charisma in his presence." Tewari, who works in a real estate firm, prepares meticulously every year. "I read different versions of the Ramayana-Valmiki, Tulsidas, Kamban-to understand the nuances of Ravana's character..." Heera Singh Bisht, who brings Ravana to life in Koormanchal Nagar's Ramleela for over 28 years, is a retired employee of the transport department, emphasises the character's rich intellect. "He was an Ayurvedic expert, an astrologer, a Veena maestro, and a strategist," Bisht says. "People forget that Ravana was a 'maha-pandit' before he became the symbol of ego and downfall." In an unusual twist, Salman Khan, 34, who played Ram for 17 years, now essays Ravana in the BKT Ramleela, a unique performance organised jointly by Hindus and Muslims. "Switching roles changed my perception entirely," Khan shares. "As Ram, I focused on restraint, on silence. As Ravana, I've had to understand what happens when you let go of control when ambition overpowers wisdom." Khan believes Ravana's downfall is a lesson in self-awareness. "The Ramayana teaches us that the biggest battle is within. If we lose control over our desires, we become Ravana. If we tame them, we become Ram. That's what we're trying to show in our Ramleela."...