April 6, 2008(source:http://saistudents.org/alumni/home/news.php)

[Guest guest]

April 6, 2008

The dance group in the Institute and school is growing both in numbers

and quality. With a 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. And yesterday, Swami had permitted them to put up what would be

a major milestone in the dancing history of the students.To date, dance

has always been a like the proverbial "icing on the cake" that the

dramas and programmes constitute. today an attempt was being made to

make dancing the "cake" along with the "icing" and the "cherries" on

top too! A 40 minute dance entitled, "Baala Ramam" 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. It was a

fully "in house" production if the term can be used.

 

Swami arrived at 4:50 pm. Again, as it has become the norm these days,

He came on the chair. It has really been summer showers at the hamlet

of peace this vacation. Ever since the holidays began on April 1st, it

seems to be holiday time even for Swami's vahana! The Porte having been

de"porte"d(!), Swami comes beaming 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. He made 'her' stand and checked 'her' from top

to bottom. A piece of string to hold up the saree was being seen and

Swami asked for it to be covered. 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. (Must be making

our Swami nostalgic!). Swami was 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 versus 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 in 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 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 Seeta-Rama 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 picture 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 huge

supporting 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.

Click here to view pictures of the programme.

 

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