**Tragic Demise of Veteran Actor Amresh Mahajan During Ramleela Performance in Chamba**
A Ramleela performance at the historic Chaugan Maidan in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district took a tragic turn on the evening of Tuesday, September 23, when 73-year-old veteran actor Amresh Mahajan, popularly known as Shibu, collapsed on stage. Mahajan was portraying the role of King Dasharatha when the incident occurred.
The tragedy unfolded around 8:30 pm during a scene set in Dasharatha’s court. According to reports from Navbharat Times, Mahajan had been delivering his dialogue in a powerful voice when he suddenly collapsed onto the shoulders of a co-actor. Initially, the audience believed this was part of the act, but soon panic spread throughout the venue. Fellow performers quickly rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival due to a fatal heart attack.
A video capturing the shocking incident soon surfaced on social media, leaving spectators and the community in shock. Just moments earlier, the audience had applauded his compelling performance, only to be stunned by the sudden news of his death.
### A Pillar of Chamba’s Ramleela Tradition
Amresh Mahajan had been an integral part of the Chamba Ramleela for over four decades, known for his powerful portrayals of key characters such as Ravana and King Dasharatha. As one of the pillars of this annual cultural event, which has been staged in Chamba since 1949, Mahajan’s dedication and talent made him a beloved figure in the local arts community.
Earlier this year, Mahajan had reportedly expressed that this would be his final performance. His unexpected passing on stage has now cast those words in a haunting light.
### Tributes and Remembrances
Tributes poured in from local organizations and community leaders honoring Mahajan’s contribution to the arts. Swapan Mahajan, President of the Ramleela Club, described his death as an “irreparable loss for the club and the entire city.” Virendra Mahajan, President of the Vyapar Mandal, along with Pankaj Gupta, Principal of Medical College Chamba, also paid their respects.
The Ramleela tradition in Chamba, which was started by Lala Sansar Chand Mahajan more than seventy years ago, continues to be preserved by devoted artists dedicated to keeping this rich cultural heritage alive.
Amresh Mahajan’s legacy in the Ramleela and his contributions to Chamba’s cultural fabric will be remembered fondly by all who witnessed his remarkable talent and passion for the performing arts.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/shocking-video-73-year-old-actor-playing-dasharatha-in-ramleela-in-hps-chamba-dies-on-stage-after-delivering-his-lines
