Portrait of Christ's life
LIZA GEORGE
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`Ente Rakshakan' narrated the story of the life of Jesus Christ.
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Photo: S. Mahinsha
THE MESSIAH: `Ente Rakshakan,' a light-and-sound show, included film sequences, music, drama and dance.
It was a show with a difference with each scene looking like a painting within a painting. Conceptualised and directed by Soorya Krishnamoorthy as part of the Mateer Memorial Church's centenary celebrations, the light-and-sound show saw a packed audience.
Titled `Ente Rakshakan' (`My Saviour'), the programme included film sequences, music, drama and dance. An hour and forty minutes long, the audience were spellbound as the story of the life of Jesus Christ unfolded onstage.
`My Saviour' started with a short film that portrayed creation of the Panchabhootha (five elements) as the director likened Bhoomi Devi to Mother Mary. "While Bhoomi Devi is the virgin mother of Nature, Mary is the virgin mother of Christ,'" said Krishnamoorthy who found resemblances between the story of Christ and the story of Lord Krishna. "Both were born in a stable and both had the king of the land after their head. If it was Kamsa for Krishna, it was Herod for Christ," he said.
Krishnamoorthy also hinted that Christ might have been in India to gain knowledge during his teenage years. "I believe Christ studied under the rishis of India. Concepts like `Ahambrahmasmi' (God is within us) are Indian concepts and I have shown this through the shots of the Himalayas and by using raga Pahadi," he said.
According to Krishnamoorthy, it was Chandra Benjamin and his wife Padma Benjamin who roped him into the project. The show demonstrated the acting prowess of Krishan who acted the lead role in the movie `Oral.' Krishnan who played the role of Christ in the show was on a strict vegetarian diet for more than a month to portray Christ. "That is why you could see my ribs," Krishnan said with a grin. The actor was actually whipped on stage to get a realistic effect. "The co-star who handled the whip was reluctant at first to use it, but only with action can you get reaction, so all that wincing on stage is real," he said.
Messenger of peace
Krishnamoorthy has also tried to portray a very human Christ. Said Krishnamoorthy, "That was to bring him closer to the audience. He was a messenger of love and peace. The world was experiencing the season of spring when he lived on earth, so I used raga Basantham to create such a feel."
The evocative music by Ramesh Narayan was a highlight of the show. Lyrics were penned by Madhusodhanan Nair and costumes were designed by S.D. Satheesh. Sets by Hailesh were like paintings though one wished the stage was raised so that the audience at the back could watch the performance.
Probably the first ever stage extravaganza in India on the life of Christ, it was a show the audience would remember and cherish.
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