Ramlila (Ramlila) (literally ‘ Shri Ram’s lila or play) is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Shri Ram, ending up in ten-day battle between Shri Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the sacred Ramayan. A tradition that originates from the Indian subcontinent, the play is staged annually often over ten or more successive nights, during the auspicious period of ‘ Sharad Navratras’, which marks the commencement of the Autumn festive period, starting with the Dussehra festival. Usually the performances are timed to culminate on the festival of Vijayadashmi day, that commemorates the victory of Shri Ram? over demon king Ravan, when the actors are taken out in a procession through the city, leading up to a mela ground or town square, where the enactment of the final battle takes place, before giant effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanath are set fire, and coronation or abhisheka of Shri Ram? at Ayodhya takes place, marking the culmination of festivities and restoration of the divine order.Shri Ram is the 7th incarnation of Vishnu and central figure of the Ramayan. The Ramayana is based on the life, times and values of Lord Rama.Lord Rama is called the Maryada Purushottam or 'The best among the dignified'.The story of Lord Rama and his comrades is so popular in India that it has actually amalgamated the psyche of the Indian mainstream irrespective of their religion.The very story of Ramayana injects ethics to the Indian mainstream.

Most Ramlilas in North India are based on the 16th century Avadhi version of Ramayan, Ramcharitmanas, written by Gosvami Tulsidas entirely in verse, thus used as dialogues in most traditional versions, where open-air productions are staged by local Ramlila committees, 'Samitis', and funded entirely by the local population, the audience.It is close to the similar form of folk theatre, Raslila, which depicts the life of Sri Krishn, popular in Uttar Pradesh, especially Braja regions of Mathura, Vrindavan and amongst followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Vaishnavism in Manipur, with some similarity with Pandavlila of Garhwal, based on life of Pandavas of Mahabharat and Yakshagana of Karnataka, based on various epic and puranas. 

Ramlila has received considerable global attention, especially due to its diverse representation throughout the globe, especially amongst the Indian diaspora community, and regions where Hinduism has spread over the centuries, like Africa and several South East Asian countries. UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Ramlila a Masterpiece of the Oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005. Subsequently, Govt. of India and IGNCA produced a two-hour documentary, titled "Ramlila - The traditional performance of Ramayan" for UNESCO, on 'Ramnagar Ramlila', and Ramlila traditions of Avadh, Braj and Madhubani and that of Ayodhya, which assimilates elements of all three. Another unique Ramlila, is being staged since 1972, at Bakshi Ka Talab, about 20 km from Lucknow, where lead characters like Shri Ram?, Shri Lakshman and Shri Hanuman are played by Muslim youths; this four-day Ram Lila starts on the day of Dusshera day, and has also been adapted into a Radio play, 'Us Gaon ki Ram Lila', by Lucknow All India Radio, which won the Communal Harmony Award in 2000.