Homage to Navagraha: A Bharat Natyam Dance Drama By Yoganjali Natyalayam

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News Release Homage to Navagraha A Bharat

Natyam Dance Drama By Yoganjali Natyalayam Pondicherry: Pondicherrians will have an opportunity for Darshan of the Navagraha in a sacred and emotionally fulfilling, thrilling atmosphere at 6 pm Sunday September 3rd when Yoganjali Natyalayam presents its Annual Bharat Natyam Dance Drama Homage to Navagraha in honour of the 99th Jayanthi of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Gurumaharaj.. The 90 minute Bharat Natyam Dance Drama enacting the famous hymn of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar Kolaru Thiru Padhikam will be held at Subhalakshmi Kalyanam Mandapam, Muthialpet, Pondicherry – 3 (Opposite Muthialpet Police Station). The Dance Drama is open to public. Featuring more than 50 dancers and 10 musicians, the Navagraha will be appeased with song and dance. Special enactment of legends associated with each of the Grahas will be part of the production. In every life there is happiness and sorrow, disease, emotional distress, occurring continuously. One of the main causes of this fluctuation in worldly life is the influence of the Navagrahas, or the position of the nine celestial abodes in the individual’s horoscope. The Navagraha are the channels through which the Atman showers Karma upon the individual enabling one to evolve spiritually though the various lessons of life. Thus, “Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so!” The influence of the Navagrahas is called Graha Dosha. To help mitigate negative planetary influences and create a strong, stable, positive attitude capable of withstanding trials and tribulations the sages have advised as a spiritual exercise that one should perform Pradakshina of the Navagraha Murthis and recite the Navagraha Strotra nine times either in the morning

or evening. The great Nayanmar Thiru Gnana Sambandhar has declared in his teaching that the Navagrahas cannot harm those whose minds are firmly fixed to the lotus feet of Lord Shiva. All these elevated thoughts will imbided effortlessly by those fortunate enough to witness the spiritual and artistic enthusiasm of the pure – spirited, skilled young dancers of Yoganjali Natyalayam as they perform this unique Nrittya and Abhinaya tribute to the Navagraha. The Dance Drama is originally composed, choreographed and directed by Puduvai Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani Director Yoganjali Natyalayam and Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Chairman. Yoganjali Natyalayam: Admissions open: For Information contact:

No.25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry – 13. Phone 3203314, 2622902, 98423 11433, 94430 51616. Admission open for Fall Sessions. ---------------------------- Yoganjali Natyalayam Presents HOMAGE TO THE NAVAGRAHAS Direction: Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani In every life there is happiness and sorrow, disease, emotional distress, occurring continuously. One of the

main causes of this fluctuation in worldly life is the influence of the Navagrahas, or the position of the nine celestial abodes in the individual’s horoscope. The Navagraha are the channels though which the Atman showers Karma upon the individual enabling one to evolve spiritually though the various lessons of life. Thus, “Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so!” The influence of the Navagrahas is called Graha Dosha. To help mitigate negative planetary influences and create a strong, stable, positive attitude capable of withstanding trials and tribulations the sages have advised as a spiritual exercise that one should perform Pradakshina of the Navagraha Murthis and recite the Navagraha Strotra nine times either in the morning or evening. The great Nayanmar Thiru Gnana Sambandhar has declared in his teaching that the Navagrahas cannot harm those whose minds are firmly fixed to the lotus feet of Lord Shiva. SCENE 1: DEVOTEES WORSHIP THE NAVAGRAHA In a scene typical of most South Indian temples, devotees worship the Navagrahas with ghee lamps as they perform Pradakshina. SCENE 2: HISTORY OF THE KOLARU THIRU PADHIKAM Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and

Tirunavukarasar were in Thiruvengadu when emissaries from the Pandya queen met them. The envoys convey the unpleasant news that the influence of the Samana religion was on the rise in the Pandya kingdom, the king had converted to the Samana Religion and was persecuting devotees of Lord Shiva. The emissaries convey to Sambandhar that the queen and chief minister were upset at this turn of events and had sent a request that Sambandhar come to Madurai to restore the power of Shaivism in the Pandya kingdom. The elderly Tirunavukarasar had been persecuted by Samanas in the past and feared that Sambandhar being a very young boy may suffer bodily harm. Further, he concluded that astrologically it was not an auspicious period. Hence, he tried to dissuade Sambandhar from going to Madurai. Sambandhar responded that no harm can ever come to an ardent Siva devotee and sings the Kolaru Thiru Padhikam. Tirunavukarasar is convinced by Sambandar’s arguments and gives the young sage his blessings for the mission. Sambandhar takes leave of Tirunavukarasar and proceeds to Madurai to restores the glory of Shaivism. SCENE 3: WHEN SHIVA IS THERE, WHY THE FEAR? The first of the ten-versed Kolaru Thiru Padhikam of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar is performed to ward off any potential ill effects from the Navagrahas. Sambandhar sings, “Siva, who shares his body with Parvathi (who has a bamboo like shoulder), who has a stained throat due to the poison he ate, who is playing a very good veena, who is wearing a blemishless moon and the Ganga river on his head, has entered my heart. Therefore, all the nine planets will present a faultless demeanor and benevolent aspects to the

devotees”. SCENE 4: GLORY TO SURYA BHAGAVAN, THE SUN Praise to the sun god, the one who blesses all to live well. Praise be to the handsome and luminous one. O great valiant one rid me of my troubles. The celebration of Pongal, the harvest festival is

depicted with Pujas and festivities and the Yogic worship of the sun, the Surya Namaskar is also portrayed. SCENE 5: GLORY TO CHANDRA BHAGAVAN, THE MOON Bless us O moon Lord granting us our prayers. Praise to you O Satvik one, please destroy the obstacles in our path. The story behind the Sanghata Hara Chathurthi is depicted in this scene. Chandra was cursed by Lord Ganesha as a result of his teasing the pot bellied Lord about Ganesha’s unwieldy figure. Upon the advice of Lord Indra Chandra’s radiance was restored after penance and prayer to Vigna Vinayaka, the remover of all obstacles. Chandra then rises in full glory over the ocean whose tides ebb and flow under the spell of his spiritual power. SCENE 6: GLORY TO SEVVAI BHAGAVAN, MARS O great gem, bless us with a good natured life free of want. O auspicious one, we pray to your feet, please remove our troubles. Angaraha is born to Maharishi Bharadwaja and a celestial nymph and is brought up by Bhooma Devi. Later he is taught all scriptures by his illustrious father who advises him to worship Lord Vinayaka. Maha Ganapathy gives him Dharshan and bestows the status of a Graha upon him. SCENE 7: GLORY TO BUDHA BHAGAVAN, MERCURY Praise to the feet of Lord Budhan to remove all ills in our lives and to bless us with a pleasant life. O Great One of Magnificent Light who helps us, we salute thee. Chandra performs the Raja Sooya Yagna that is witnessed by all the gods. Tara, the wife of Brihaspathi and Chandra fall in love and refuse to be separated. This leads to a massive battle with Lord Shiva taking on Chandra. Lord Brahma intervenes and orders Chandra to return Tara to Brihaspathi. However Tara is pregnant at the time and Brihaspathi refuses to accept parentage of the child, Budhan who is then handed over to Chandra. SCENE 8: GLORY TO GURU BHAGAVAN, JUPITER O good natured Guru Bhagavan bless

us to live a pleasant life. O Brihaspathi who loves and guides the Devas, bless us to get rid of the Graha Doshas. Lord Siva as a ferryman (boatman) was helping Sundaramurthy Swamigal cross the river (Vettaru) which was in spate, to reach the Alangudi Sthalam. However the boat capsizes when halfway. Lord Siva seated on his Rishaba Vahana helps him reach the Sthalam safely. Sundarar received his Gnanaupadesam after his Dharshan of Dakshinamurthy at this Sthalam. SCENE 9: GLORY TO SUKRA BHAGAVAN, VENUS O Sukra Murthi, grant us comfort and pleasure. Without deviation grant all our wishes. O Silver Coloured One, bless us with a life filled with abundance. Sukracharya was the Guru of Asuras. He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances. In the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three foot steps of land from Mahabali, the King of the Asuras. Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukracharya assumed the form of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the Kamandalam. Vamana picked up a strand of the Dharpa grass and blinded Sukracharya in one eye

while unclogging the hole in the Kamandalam. SCENE 10: GLORY TO SHANI BHAGAVAN, SATURN O Shani Bhagavan, thou who solves all problems, please set thy mind to bless us with auspiciousness. Bless us to live happily without quarrels or fear of death. Samujna, the wife of Lord Surya wasn’t able to tolerate his intense heat and so leaves her reflection Chaya Devi in her place and goes to her father Viswakarma’s palace. Lord Shanishwara is born to Surya and Chaya Devi. SCENE 11: GLORY TO RAHU BHAGAVAN Praise to Rahu, the one with the body of a serpent who blesses us to solve all problems. O handsome one, please bless us to have victory in all

activities. The Devas and Asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain Amrit that would keep them alive for ever. Lord Vishnu took on the guise of Mohini to distribute Amrit only to the Devas as the evil deeds of the Asuras would increase multifold if they consumed Amrit. Swarbhanu, one of the Asuras took the form of a Deva and consumed the nectar. Lord Surya and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Vishnu. In anger, Lord Vishnu cut off the head of Swarbhanu that fell to the ground. Because he had consumed Amrit his head and body continued to live separately. The body of a snake got attached to the head to become Rahu while the other half became Kethu. Rahu prayed

to Lord Vishnu and got the position of a Sayagraham. SCENE 12: GLORY TO KETHU BHAGAVAN O Kethu, thou of the serpent head bless us in an auspicious manner to avoid disease, quarrels and litigation. We pray to thy feet, please remove our sins. When Lord

Vishnu cut off the head of Swarbhanu, the head portion attached itself to a snake body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion that was thrown away fell in Pothigai mountain region. This was found and preserved by a Brahmin. The head of a snake got attached to the Asura body to become Kethu. SCENE 13: GLORY TO THE NAVAGRAHAS The dancers pray to the sacred feet of all the Navagrahas and offer their salutations to the nine celestial abodes

for the welfare of humanity. MEMBERS OF YOGNAT’S CULTURAL TROUPE Direction: Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani Asst. Direction and Mridungam: Palkalai Chemmal Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Asst. Direction and Natuvangam: Yogacharini Smt Devasena Bhavanani Lyrics and Tamil commentary: Tamil Gnana Shironmani Pulavar I Pattabhiraman Music Composition and Keyboard: Nada Yoga Shironmani Shri S V. Jagadeesan Vocal Support: Smt Vineshwari Sivaraj Violin: Shri V Thanigachalam Mogarsing: Thiru Al Ramasamy Tabla: Shri Jayaseelan Special Effects: Thiru S Gopal English commentary: Selvi PVL Shailaja Tamil commentary: Selvan P Muthamizh Vanan DANCERS: V. Renukadevi, G. Kanimozhi, U. Kokila, U. Parinita, M. Shailaja, R. Varalakshmi, G. Saranya, S.S. Lothikha, G Saranyalakshmi, S Sri Sagana, G. Revathy, L. Kanmani, S.S. Monikha, S Samyuktha, Shreya Agrawal, S. Namratha, R. Swati Priyadarshini, Ashrulina Pal, R. Shalini, V. Amirtha, J. Sangavi, V. Roshini, S. Devasena, V. Yasritha, M. Roshini, R. Sruthi, J. Madhumitha, S. Sowmya, Reshma S. Kumar, V. Susmitha, S. Ghayathri, S. Keerti Priya,

R. Kokila, R. V. Krithiga, D. Reena Joseph, O. Vidya, K. Nivetha, S. Manju Priya, S. Haritha, S. Geethakala, Debolina Pal, Rubi Ragini, V Anusha, R Nivetha STAGE MANAGEMENT: Shri C. Shanmugam, Smt Lalitha Shanmugam, Shri S. Sendil Coumar and Shri C. Kulandaivelu, Shri E. Gajendiran, Shri G. Murthy Costumes: Thiru Somu Sound and light arrangements: Shri Raja, Dandapani Electricals Photos: Thiru Velu Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER Hon General Secretary, Pondicherry Yogasana Association 25, 2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry, South India-605 013 Tel: +91-413 - 2622902 / +91-413 -3203314/+91-413 -2241561 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/ananda

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