Skanda Vaibhavam – Dance Drama by Tamil Nadu Balvikas…
Tuesday, October 27th, 2015
God scripts His Story vide epics and puranas only to help man to ascend to Godhood! The legend of Skanda Purana is no different, as the moral of the story stands for the Absolute Union of Jeevatma with the Paramatma.
The State of Tamil Nadu is synonymous with devotion to Lord Subramania, Who is popular as Lord Muruga or Karthikeya in the Dravidian Culture. The Warrior-Lord, Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Devas’ Army, son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi, is widely worshipped across Tamil Nadu and other parts of India.
Today, as the Tamil Nadu Week Of Festivity reached day-3 here, the Balvikas Children from the State presented a colourful dance drama on the legend of the ‘Skanda Purana’ this evening at the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The presentation, with great metaphorical import, aired the message of annihilation of avidya or ignorance, depicting the victory of Jnana or Wisdom.
Titled Skanda Vaibhavam, the presentation was a depiction of the famous ‘Soora Samharam’, the vanquishing of the demon Soorapadman at the hands of Lord Subramania.
The presentation began with an introductory narration followed by an inciting dance, paying obeisance to the Divine Parents – Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, song being the famous “Karpura Gauram Karunavataaram… Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami”.
Beginning the story, Devas come to the Divine Abode, Kailash, seeking Lord Shiva’s interference to help alleviate their suffering at the hands of the demon Soorapadman, and thus the story-line for this evening’s presentation.
What ensued next was a series of narration interspersed with depiction of Tamil Nadu’s great cultural heritage, keeping pace with the story-line.
Showcasing rich cultural diversity, various dance forms, Bharatanatyam followed up with ten popular Folk Dance forms forayed to the centre-stage in succession, taking the story along with, presenting the epic battle. The Folk forms depicted were, Kaalkolattam, Poikkal Kuthirai Aattam, Oyilattam, Badugas Dance, Silambattam, Karagattam, Mayilaattam, Kavidiaattam, Kummiaattam and Kolaattam.
The Lord stands for Universal Wisdom and the demon for individual ego. The Divine Spear of the Lord represents absolute concentration that finally shatters the myth of ignorance. The annihilation of ego is symbolized in the form of the demon’s final surrender and transformation.
The legend says the demon was transformed into a tree, from which emerged a rooster and a peacock. The Lord with His loving glance transforms them, incorporating the rooster as His standard, while the peacock is used as His mount. The same way, The Lord helps every Jeevatma to subdue its ego, converting the lower feelings into pure awareness, effectively transforming the individual.
The grand finale of the episode depicted the reunion of the Lord with Maa Devayani, daughter of Lord Indra, symbolic representation being the Absolute Union of the Jeevatma with the Paramatma. …And in celebration, the children burst into the final dance formation, presenting a scintillating Kolattam dance.
Over 150 Balvikas children from ten Tamil Nadu districts participated in the hour-long presentation.
Bhajans by the Coimbatore batch of devotees continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan, at 1830 hrs.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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