What made it even more remarkable was that this grand act was performed entirely by children aged 8 to 17, who balanced months of intensive rehearsals with their academic commitments.
More than 20 young performers from schools across London brought the timeless Indian epic Ramayana to life at Diwali on Trafalgar Square 2025, one of the city’s largest and most cherished cultural celebrations. Organised by the Mayor of London, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 30,000 people, all captivated by the children’s spellbinding musical retelling of the ancient tale.
The performance, titled “Ramayana – A Musical Journey,” was a stunning blend of music, dance, and drama that portrayed the eternal values of courage, righteousness, compassion, and devotion. What made it even more remarkable was that this grand act was performed entirely by children aged 8 to 17, who balanced months of intensive rehearsals with their academic commitments.
Produced by MAD House Production — a creative collective formed by four parents, Abhinav Sahai, Deepika Banerjee Sahai, Mayuri Harish, and Priya Shivkumar — the act stood as a shining example of how art, culture, and community can come together to inspire young minds.
“Our aim was to give children an opportunity to connect with their roots while learning teamwork, empathy, and stagecraft,” said Abhinav Sahai, Technical Editor and Voice Over Artist. “Watching them perform on one of London’s biggest stages was a moment of immense pride — not just for us as parents, but for the entire community.”
The performers represented several leading schools across London, including Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, NCLS, HABS Girls’ School, Queens’ School, Bushey, Watford Grammar School for Girls and others. Each child played a vital role, depicting characters such as Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Bharat and Ravana amongst others with extraordinary maturity and flair.
The event also saw the gracious presence of Parveen Rani, Former Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, and Tushar Kumar, Deputy Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood, who attended the performance to cheer the Ramayana team and congratulate the young artists.
“Events like this go far beyond cultural celebration- they highlight the growing bridge between the UK and India, a relationship strengthened not just through trade and diplomacy, but also through shared values, creativity, and people-to-people connections. It was truly heart-warming to see children from different schools and backgrounds come together to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage on such a grand stage,” said Tushar Kumar, Deputy Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood. “Their performance was filled with sincerity, grace, and emotion — it was a proud moment for the entire community.”
Beyond their artistic achievement, the children also turned their performance into a gesture of compassion. In the true spirit of Diwali, they raised over £1,400 for Save the Children UK, supporting the charity’s mission to ensure that every child grows up safe, healthy, and full of hope.
“They’ve proven that Diwali’s light isn’t just symbolic — it’s something you can spread through kindness and creativity,” said Mayuri Harish, co-producer and choreographer.
The act received warm applause and emotional reactions from the audience, many of whom described it as a “moving and magical experience.” For the children, performing on the historic Trafalgar Square stage was the culmination of months of rigorous practice, late-night rehearsals, and endless enthusiasm. It was, in their own words, “a memory of a lifetime.”
The production team also extended heartfelt thanks to all parents for their unwavering encouragement, time, and behind-the-scenes support that made this ambitious dream possible. Their collaboration — from costume creation and logistics to cheering at rehearsals — played a vital role in the show’s success.
The success of this musical has already sparked interest in taking the production to other community events, continuing to showcase the next generation’s artistic talent and cultural connection.
