Senior stage artist Amrish Kumar died of a heart attack while performing in a Ramleela production in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The incident occurred during his portrayal of Dashrath, Lord Ram’s father, when he suddenly collapsed on stage mid-dialogue.

The performance was immediately halted, and organizers drew the curtain as chaos ensued. Kumar was rushed to hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

A resident of Chamba district, Kumar had been a prominent Ramleela performer for five decades, frequently playing the roles of Dashrath and Ravana. His performances regularly drew large audiences and generated widespread enthusiasm.

“This is a very sad and irreparable loss for us. Amrish ji was not just an artist but the soul of Ramleela. May God grant peace to his soul and give strength to his family to bear this huge loss,” said Ramleela Club member Sudesh Mahajan.

Kumar’s sudden death has deeply affected the entire district. In response, the Ramleela Club has postponed all scheduled events for the coming days. What began as a festive celebration turned to mourning as Kumar’s final performance marked the end of a remarkable five-decade contribution to this traditional art form.