Prasanthi Update - April 6th - Baala Rama Dance Ballet

[Guest guest]

The dance group in the Sathya Sai Institute and the High School are growing both in numbers and quality. With a most Phenomenal performance of the "Saagara Manthanam" dance a few weeks ago, it is definitely true that the nimble student dancers have to do a real quality job each time they step on the big stage for the expectation levels are just being pushed higher and higher.

 

On April 6th, Swami had permitted them to put up what would be a major milestone in the dancing history of the Sai Students. A 40 minute dance entitled, "Baala Rama" depicting the Ramayana story till the marriage between Lord Rama and Mother Sita had been planned in great detail. The song had been specially written by the students and had also been tuned and recorded by them.

Swami arrived at 4:50 pm. He came on the chair. Parthi is almost hot to cooking levels. Sweat drops flow profusely. The body tires in the heat and still sleep is not even a remote possibility because of the uncomfortable conditions. Though the hall is roofed, the floor is heated. Swami's arrival time is uncertain and on an average, a person will spend atleast 8 hours sitting and waiting. One may begin to wonder, "Is my stay here worth all this trouble?" The minute Swami comes on the chairs, these doubts disappear like mist in the sun. The smiles that beam on the devotees' face makes even the sun pale. And that is the sweetness and coolness of the Love between the Lord and His devotees.As soon as Swami completed His rounds and reached the interview room area, He saw the students in costumes in the bhajan hall. He went in and then began a sweet interaction. He enquired into the role that each student was performing in the

drama. When they said that the dance would depict briefly even of Raghuvamsha (Raghu clan) He said, "It became Raghuvamsha only due to Rama. Then it was Ikshvaaku dynasty." Even as He smiled, everyone nodded sheepishly. He was very particular about "Seeta's" costume. Blessing everyone, He told them that they should start in another 10 minutes time. As He went to the interview room, the stage was set up and the dancers got ready for the performance. A beautiful Rama figurine comprised the backdrop and that too had been crafted by a student! It was 5:15 pm when Swami came out and sat asking for the programme to begin. The glory of the nectarine story began to unfold and the whole story was scripted as narrated by Swami in the Rama Katha Rasa Vahini. Valmiki writes about Rama as a man would view God, but Swami's narrative gives insight into the feelings of Rama too.

 

Swami was totally absorbed in the programme right from the start.. It began tracing the history of the clan till Dasharatha prepares for the sacrifice to obtain sons. The wonderful childhood of the four brothers was depicted and then the scene where sage Vishwamitra asks for the the princes to vanquish the demons came up. The conflict between Dasharatha's duty as a king vs his attachment as a father was very well portrayed and the music really elicited the flow of emotions from the heart. The graceful movements and soulful music transported the audience back i time to the period of the Treta Yuga. Swami's moods seemed to flow along with the moods of the drama. Finally the princes accompany the sage to the dark forests where their first exploits as super heroes are demonstrated. The climax came when Rama and Lakshmana go to the kingdom of Mithila where the mighty bow of Shiva lay between them and the princess. Lord Rama, as per the Guru's

command, breaks the bow and later proves His divinity to Parashurama. There is a grand celebration for the marriage between Rama and Seeta. The famous episode which Swami loves narrating was also depicted. Seeta comes to garland Lord Rama. He is tall and being the Purushottama (perfect man), He stands erect without "looking down" upon Seeta! She is unable to garland him. (In the dance however, Rama was not that tall. The problem had been dealt by giving Him a big crown!) Lakshmana falls at Rama's feet and when Rama bends to raise him, Seeta quickly garlands him. This act elicited great applause. The atmosphere was dramatic and yet so real. One really felt as if the Rama-Seeta Kalyanam had been witnessed. The dance concluded with a final formation. Swami immediately said that He would come down. As Rama and Lakshmana went up to receive Him, everyone else prepared to receive Him. Swami was so sweet as He asked Lakshmana, "Ay Lakshmana!

Where is Urmila?" Lakshmana was dumbstruck. "Tell me....Where is she?", Swami persisted! The four princes were actually married all at once and Swami was fully justified with the question. The answer was a blushing smile and Swami seemed to enjoy the redness flushing in Lakshmana's cheeks as He once again asked, "Tell, where is Urmila? Paapam! Not there!" Swami showered Love and smiles liberally as He posed for photos. All the students who were part of the drama got a Photograph with Him. That included even the boys who did the music recording and all the backdrop work. All the programmes put up in front of Swami are like the Taj Mahal. Though they are beautiful to look at, they have a supporting huge foundation. And Swami blesses not only the Taj but also the foundations!Filling every heart with joy, Swami had prasadam distributed and at about 6:40 pm received Aarthi and retired.

 

A Milestone Dramatic Production from the Students which everyone present would remember forever.

 

Om Sai Ram

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