India: Man dies on stage in Haryana’s Bhiwani while playing Hanuman in Ramleela

Harish Mehta, a stage actor in the north Indian town of Bhiwani, died of a heart attack while performing on stage on Sunday. Harish was playing the role of Hanuman in Ramleela (theatrical Ramayan) at Bhiwani's Jawahar Chowk ahead of Ram Temple's inauguration in Ayodhya on Monday. Local reports from the state of Haryanasaid he died while performing on stage with the actor who played Lord Ram. Harish had been playing the role of Hanuman in Baskinath Ramleela Comittee's production for the last 25 years.

The incident occurred on stage while the actors were enacting Ram's coronation. Harish reportedly died at the feet of the actor playingRam. Eyewitness accounts stated that the portion was being enacted on stage via a song. As the song ended, Harish Mehta, 'sacrificed his life as he bowed at the feet of Lord Ram,' stated local reports.

Initially, the audience felt Harish was in character and hence lying on Ram's feet. Soon, other actors on stage tried to lift him up and realised he was not responding. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

The event was organised on Sunday, ahead of Ram Mandir's inauguration at Ayodhya on Monday noon.