Dussehra & Ramlila Costume Ideas

Bring the epic of Ramayana to life with these creative costume ideas for your Ramlila performance or Dussehra celebration.

Lord Rama

Attire: A saffron or yellow dhoti. A matching sash or scarf (angavastram) over the shoulders.
Jewelry: Simple gold-colored armbands, wristbands, and a necklace. A simple crown or headpiece (mukut).
Props: A bow (dhanush) and a quiver of arrows (tarkash) are essential.
Makeup: A serene expression, a U-shaped tilak on the forehead, and subtle eyeliner.

Attire: A simple yet elegant saree, typically in shades of yellow, orange, or pink.
Jewelry: Floral jewelry (pushpa abushan) for the Ayodhya scenes, or simpler, minimal jewelry for the exile period.
Hairstyle: Hair tied in a neat bun or a long braid, adorned with flowers.
Makeup: Natural and graceful makeup, with a red bindi and kohl-lined eyes.

Attire: Similar to Rama, a dhoti and angavastram, perhaps in a slightly different shade like cream or light orange.
Jewelry: Minimalistic jewelry to show his dedication and service.
Props: Also carries a bow and arrow, symbolizing his role as a protector.
Makeup: A tilak similar to Rama's, with an alert and determined expression.

Attire: A red or orange langot (loincloth) or dhoti. A sacred thread (janeu) across the chest.
Accessories: A monkey mask is key. A long tail made from cloth or rope. A simple crown.
Props: A mace (gada) is Hanuman's signature weapon.
Makeup: If not using a mask, face paint can create a monkey-like appearance.

Attire: A grand, dark-colored (black, dark blue, or purple) dhoti and a heavily decorated angavastram.
Jewelry: Ornate and imposing gold jewelry—large necklaces, armbands, and a grand crown.
Key Feature: A fan of nine extra heads made from cardboard attached behind the main actor.
Props: A sword or a trident (trishul). A prominent, curled mustache (real or fake).

Attire: Simple brown, red, or orange shorts or dhotis.
Accessories: Simple monkey masks or face paint. Cloth tails pinned to the back.
Props: Small toy maces or sticks. Some can carry large cardboard "rocks" with "Ram" written on them.
Group Idea: Easy and fun for a group of children to dress up as.

Fabrics: Use readily available and inexpensive fabrics like cotton for dhotis and sarees. Shiny or brocade-style fabrics work well for Ravana's costume.
Jewelry: Cardboard cutouts painted gold, beads, and gold ribbons are great for making DIY crowns and ornaments.
Weapons & Props: Bows, arrows, maces, and swords can be safely crafted from cardboard, painted, and decorated with foil or glitter.
Makeup: Use non-toxic face paint. A base color, kohl for the eyes, and a bindi or tilak can transform a simple look into a character costume.