Yakshagana offering on Vrishasena’s heroic tale…

Showing glimpses of Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and artistic excellence, students from Sri Sathya Sai Academy of Integrated Education, Bhadravathi, Shivamogga district, Karnataka presented a Yakshagana offering this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.

The programme was organised on the sidelines of Annual Conference of Coordinators of Vidya Vahini Programme.

Entitled “Vrishasena – The Brave Warrior”, the storyline for the evening programme was from the Mahabharata times, depicting the tale of Vrishasena, whose unparalleled determination to follow ‘SwaDharma’ is etched in the history of Bharat in golden letters.

As the great war of Kurukshetra enterd the seventeenth day, Karna, the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army was engaged in fierce battle. Seeing his father hard pressed, Vrishasena, the 14 year old son of Karna, decided to help him and proceeded to seek the blessings of his mother Somaprabha who tried to prevent him but was swayed over by his skilful pleading gestures.

Barely 14, Vrishasena, son of Karna – The Great, showed great determination and unflinching faith in his own self to follow his Dharma, entering in the battlefield at Kurukshetra challenging the mighty Pandavas.

Orchestrated by Bhagawan Sri Krishna’s astute Divine diplomacy, at the waning hours of Kaurava’s fate in the battlefield, the little lad pushed himself to the fore, ready to fight with Bhima first.

On the Pandava side, Bhima had grown too arrogant after slaying Dussasana and Krishna wanted to teach him a lesson. He persuaded Bhima to take on Vrishasena.  Subsequently, mighty Bhima was humbled by the little Vrishasena.

Next came the turn of Arjuna. As ordained by Bhagawan Sri Krishna, Arjuna pitched in, ensuing a fierce battle; the tiny hero knocked off the armour of the mightiest archer of his time, pushing him close to defeat. Arjuna, as was Krishna’s Will, managed to turn the tables only to end the dual, finishing the little hero and his heroic efforts.

Characterized by colourful costumes and extravagant makeup, the programme was presented with fine artistic taste and was well enjoyed by the Sunday assembly. Powerful dialogues coupled with Yakshagana Raga, the sonorous, meaningful melodic notes made it a real ‘live’ show for the audience. The little ‘Vrishasena’ conducted with boisterous passion, living the role perfectly, making the show doubly live…

Yakshagana is the primary form of folk theatre in Karnataka, combining dance, music, dialogue and décor.

114 students and 25 teachers from the school participated in this Spiritual Sadhana Saptaha to Prasanthi Nilayam.

The School, Sri Sathya Sai Academy of Integrated Education, had its inception in the year 1978, under the Divine guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai and over the years, the school has been engaged in many social welfare projects, following Bhagawan’s dictum and guidelines.

At the end of the programme, all the participants were felicitated by the Vice Chancellor of SSSIHL, Prof J Sasidhara Prasad.

Bhajans continued and ended with Bhagawan singing ‘Sunday Special’ “Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Baal…”. Mangala Arathi at 1835 hrs. marked the end of the proceedings.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II