A mix of emotion and devotion
On Bhagwan Vardhman Mahaveer... —Pic. by S. R. Raghunathan.
IN A burst of colour and music the dance drama unfolded — with it the life of Bhagwan Vardhman Mahaveer came into focus. The Music Academy on July 3 and 4 took time to fill up mainly because timing seems of little consequence for many, but once the play began to get into the heart of things there was complete enjoyment.
Naresh Usankar a well-known dance director from Mumbai had directed the ballet, which incorporated Kathak in the traditional style along with popular forms that have drama. With recorded music sung by popular playback singers such as Mahendra Kapoor, Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Suresh Wadkar and Sadhana Sargam, the dance drama was presented for the first time in Chennai.
Bringing the group here was Shree Mahaveer Jain Saharmik Kalyan Kendra established in 1993 to provide succour to those who need it. And in the past 10 years the Kendra has been doing what it calls Sadharmik Bhakti — it provides interest free loans to the needy to start their own enterprises and help them lead an honest life. The Kendra also runs subsidised computer classes and extends loans for education and vocational training. Funds collected from the sale of tickets of the Nritya Natika goes towards the corpus that supports the Grah Udyog and Mediclaim projects of members.
The dance drama detailed the life of Bhagwan Mahveera from his birth till his enlightenment and eventual status of a Bhagwan. While artistes played the parts of Mahaveera in his early days, when showing the time he became a saint, a cardboard cut out took the centre stage as a mark of respect. Many scenes that dealt with the Bhagwan's life after he gave up worldly life featured the cut out — there was no person playing the role. Emotional in parts and filled with bhakti the play found favour with the large audience.
CHITRA MAHESH
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