plays; question.

[Guest guest]

"Sri Caitanya also introduced these dramatic plays when He was a grhastha in

Navadvipa, and all the devotees used to see them, but all the parts were

played by males. There was no such thing as female taking a part. This was

introduced by the dramatist Girish Chandra Ghosh, imitating the Western way

of dramas. In our childhood, we never saw any play performed by a woman. So

if you organize THIS kind of play, at least it will be appreciated by the

saintly order. The sannyasis can also see it. But dramas played by women the

sannyasis cannot see. That is prohibited. Caitanya Mahaprabhu showed by his

example. There was a musical play by women in the Jagannatha temple.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu became ecstatic: "Such nice music is coming from

Jagannatha's temple. Let Me go see." Then His servant prohibited Him: "Sir,

these songs are from a woman." Mahaprabhu said, "Oh? It is from a woman?

Govinda, you have saved My life" [laughter]. Of course, ordinary

visitors-they can see, but sannyasis and brahmacaris are strictly prohibited

from hearing or seeing a woman singing or dancing. In your country it is

very difficult. But if the parts are played by males, everyone can see, in

front of the deity. There is no harm."

 

Srila Prabhupada, as quoted in "Festivals," by H.H Lokanatha Swami,

p.110 (1975 Mayapur festival).

 

 

 

I have a question that follows from this quote regarding kirtans:

 

What are brahmacaris supposed to do when women lead kirtans in the temple or

on Harinam, as Srila Prabhupada sometimes asked them to (example: he told

mother Yamuna to lead kirtan occasionally) ? Should they leave the place or

stay?