Extraordinary fare this!
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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More than the glitter and gloss, it was the values that the PSBB Schools' show highlighted, which made an impact.
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PROFESSIONAL TOUCH: The students of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools presenting `Naama Mahima.' — PHOTO: R. Ragu
That a school anniversary programme found sponsors for a repeat performance is in itself a testimony to the standard of the show. The Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of Schools, which celebrated its 48th anniversary a month ago, was called upon to re-enact their `Naama Mahima' under the auspices of LalithaKala Mandhir, at Kamaraj Memorial Hall, this week. "That's the greatness of `Naama Mahima,'" remarked an elated Mrs. YGP.
Even when Mathaji Vithamma witnessed the presentation at the school annual function, she had decided that such extraordinary fare should have better reach, and had LalithaKala Mandhir, the fine arts centre of Sri Muthukrishna Swami Mission Trust, stage it again.
Neat execution
The highlights of `Naama Mahima' were many. It was not mere theism that it preached. Neither was it a staid exercise on religious unity. Interwoven through these were great values that have to be imbibed by the young, with Love as the fulcrum. From Sridhara Ayyaval to Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai Baba and from Meera to Moses, not to forget Islam, Divinity was showcased suggesting Love as the panacea for all ills. The parting of the Red Sea for Moses and his followers, Adisesha and the River Yamuna helping Vasudeva and Baby Krishna reach Gokulam, Draupadi and Dussasanan in the Therukkoothu format, and all these culminating in the reverberating dance of Shakti (The choreography and the girl's expressions and movements were splendid.) were beautifully conceived and executed. Interestingly, be it stories drawn from epics or from experiences, they were not ones that you usually hear or see. It may be a norm with PSBB shows. But it is one that always astounds you. Whether a child made a 10-second appearance or presented a 15-minute enactment on stage was immaterial. Every character was aptly attired and perfectly made up. And with hundreds of children participating, it ought to have been a mind-boggling exercise. Lauding the teachers behind the bonanza is not a mere formality — kudos to each of them, and to the enthusiastic parents too! Equally impressive were the costume, acoustics and lighting.
The plaudits can go on. As Mathaji Vithamma pointed out, at a time when a school or college function generally means film music and dance for the most part, PSBB continues to remain strikingly different!
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
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Thiruvananthapuram
