NEW DELHI - As the autumn festival season brings festive crowds together across India to celebrate the traditional Ramleela, one veteran performer continues to draw gasps from audiences with a perilous spectacle. Ram Prasad Tiwari, nearing his seventieth year, remains a central attraction for his death-defying leap while engulfed in flames.

For nearly five decades, the sixty-nine-year-old stuntman has practiced this extreme craft as part of annual theatrical retellings of the epic Ramayana. During the performance, safety protocols are put to the test as assistants ignite special garments worn by the artist. Ablaze, Tiwari launches himself from a towering platform roughly fifty feet in the air, plunging downward into a designated pool of water below.

The dangerous feat requires precise timing and extensive preparation to prevent severe injury. Despite the inherent risks associated with high-altitude dives and pyrotechnics, the seasoned entertainer has maintained his routine across numerous stages. During the busy festival weeks, he travels to various neighborhoods and towns to fulfill performance contracts and entertain large crowds.

Tiwari relies on the seasonal income to support his household. For each blazing descent, he earns a modest fee of eight thousand rupees. The compensation helps sustain his family through the months when traditional theatrical productions are not in operation.

The physical demands of the stunt are substantial, especially given his age. Yet, the performer continues to step onto the scaffolding year after year, driven by both financial necessity and a deep-rooted dedication to the craft. His longevity in such a hazardous occupation has made him a notable figure among regional troupes and festival organizers.

The annual Ramleela celebrations hold immense cultural and religious significance across northern India, culminating in Dussehra festivities. While most participants engage in acting, singing, or managing stage props, specialized artists like Tiwari contribute physical spectacles designed to heighten the dramatic tension of the plays. As modern entertainment evolves, traditional performers continue to preserve these vintage stagecraft techniques for contemporary audiences.

Reporting based on coverage first published by The Times of India. Read the original report at The Times of India.