Message from Viji Prakash
To me, the Bhagavad Gita is the Absolute Truth and The one that acts as a guru who cultivates the mind of the student. The story of the Mahabharata is the canvas on which the Bhagavad Gita has painted it's lessons. This canvas is a picture of life and shows the relevance of the events of the past, as they relate to our present. Hence, the dramatic dance interpretation interweaves the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita into the stories of the Mahabharata. The teachings in the Bhagavad Gita are embodied in the incidents in the Mahabharata. I humbly feel it is difficult to extricate the Bhagavad Gita from the Mahabharata.
In this monumental epic, the Mahabharata, characters and situations though seemingly epic specifict; are representative of the larger human diaspora. It is important for me as a choreographer, that the spectator perceives not solely the person or character portrayed, but the universality of the traits of these characters, inherent within all human beings e.g. Draupadi's plight, Yudhistra's weakness, Karna's loyalty, Shakuni's cunningness, Bhishma's ultimate sacrifice, to name a few, are situations in our lives now as well where the valuable lessons of the Gita are applicable.
The dramatic sequences in this program have been identified with specific verses within the Bhagavad Gita in order to regain a balance of good and evil. Each scene in itself represents balance and stability in society and is a celebration of the positive over the negative.
In this rendition of the Bhagavad Gita through the situations of the Mahabharata, the language of movement used is the great classical dance form of India, Bharata Natyam. This dance form interprets life, communicates feelings, explodes rhythm, and delineates the essence of Bhava- facial expressions, through subtle eye movements, intense footwork and hand gestures. These qualities of Bharata Natyam allow it to create and portray the largest of armies, to the simplest plea of a devoted soul. Dance is a high form of yoga that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Both Carnatic and Hindustani systems of music are appropriately used.
This dance drama is based on Ekaharya, which is the depiction of different characters by one dancer. To clarify, the characters within the dance drama are differentiated by suggestive embellishments of their costumes.
Sincerely,
Viji Prakash
Bhagvad Gita
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