Nepal, Singapore Programme…
Monday, May 27th, 2013
Two thematic drama presentations by Nepal and Singapore marked the second and final evening of the Buddha Purnima Celebrations-2013 in Prasanthi Nilayam here today.
After yesterday’s beautiful drama by the Thai devotees, depicting the malicious vices that affect the man of today, this evening, it was the turn of Nepal and Singapore to come out with two beautiful drama presentations, highlighting the teachings of Buddha and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.
The programme commenced at 0520 hrs. with a Kauda Dance presentation by Nepalese children. This dance form, with Love as its underlying theme, belongs to the Magar ethnic communities of the mountainous regions of the Himalayan Kingdom.
Next to come was a small dance drama depicting the illustrious life of Chandalika, of Buddha’s time. Woven around the theme of untouchability and social discrimination, the story ended with Chandalika’s complete transformation and surrender at the Feet of Lord Buddha.
Chandalika lived with her mother. One day, as she was returning from the well carrying a potful of water, a handsome monk approached her asking for drinking water. Owing to ‘untouchability’ prevailing in the society, she hesitated for a while, before yielding to the monk’s relentless request. Later when she came to know of the monk’s identity, as Bikshu Ananda, the famous disciple of Lord Buddha, she became transfixed by his beauty and fell in love with him. When her mother brought the monk home one day, enamoured by infatuation she danced to attract the Bikshu. Bikshu remained nonplussed. Later Chandalika took refuge at Ananda’s ashram to become a monk. Following the tradition, she went back home seeking alms from mother. Shocked and dumbfounded, the mother wailed before giving alms. Even as Chandalika left the ashram, mother remained grief-stricken, crying in agony of separation.
A Sherpa Dance by the Nepalese children followed next. This dance originated from the Northern Himalayan Region and is a common item during festivities and ceremonies of the Sherpas of the region.
As the title suggests, ‘All Are One, Be Alike To Everyone’, was the depiction of Bhagawan Buddha’s message of seeing everyone with the same eye as God dwells in everyone. The drama was presented in a comic style, airing the great good message of Buddha and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.
Showcasing the protagonist, Dr Ji, who is overambitious, devoid of any values, the drama serves as a silent reminder to the modern men afflicted with greed and passion to relent from evil and unhealthy practices, to turn to join hands in serving the society.
Dr Ji was highly ambitious and to fulfil his dreams nothing ever mattered or stopped him; he was into cheating while practising his medical profession. Serving reminders to save him, Lord Narada appears with sage wisdom to the erring medico. Blinded by his greed, Dr Ji paid no heed to the sage’s wisdom.
Even as he fails and continues with his unhealthy practices, Narada with his celestial powers, brings his mother back from the heavens to enlighten her son of the need to lead a rightful life, rendering service to the society. The son who meet his mother for the first time offers her with all the luxuries; the mother in turn seeks three ornaments, a primary school and a hospital for the underdeveloped locality apart from asking him to get into serving the society.
Dr Ji, the young, ambitious and ‘blinded’ son was not ready to budge. Here he cited reasons of lack of money to get into mother’s dream projects, as according to him, it would cost ‘a fortune’.
Narada was left with no option than to use his final weapon. Now comes the final guest from the ‘heavens’, messenger of Lord Yama. After initial round of ridiculing and teasing, Dr Ji was convinced that his life was on the peril and he had no time left to redeem himself. At this point , when he was left with no hope of survival, he turned to prayer mode, falling on his knees. Responding to his sincere prayers, Buddha appeared with sage wisdom, advising him to correct his vision as – All Are One and thus Be Alike To Everyone was Buddha’s advice. Buddha redeemed him with extended life as Dr Ji was a transformed man, having leant his lesson the hard way.
The presentation had an interlude scene, wherein Lord Buddha comes to save the life of a goat, that was to be sacrificed by the ill-affected men, in the name of liberation. The scene ended with the message of Samastha Jeevah Sukhino Bhavantu, as preached and practised by Bhagawan.
The drama ended with a dance to the tune of the famous song Maula…Maula…depicting various service activities being done under the auspices and guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.
All the participants were presented with special gifts and prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.
Bhajans by students continued and ended with Sunday Special, Love Is My Form…in Bhagawan’s Divine Voice.
Mangala Arathi was offered at 1900 hrs. marking the end of the session.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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