Dance
Dramas
Aarupadai
Aarupadai is
a dance drama depicting the story of Lord Muruga and the six locations
in India where He takes various forms symbolizing the six critical
virtues of mankind.
Swamimalai
As farmers plough
the fields on Earth praising the good Lord for the bountiful harvest;
Lord Brahma (Creator of the Universe) in his heavenly abode enjoys
the performance of his beloved consort Saraswathy (Goddess of learning).
Here, little Muruga approaches Lord Brahma to ask him the meaning
of Om, the Pranava manthiram - the celestial sound and significance
of the Universe). As Lord Brahma doesnt have the answer. Lord
Muruga imprisons Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva is aghast at his sons
behaviour and questions him. Lord Muruga, young as he is, explains
the mysteries of the Pranava manthiram. His enlightened explanation
baffles all who now call him Sivagurunather, the guru to his father,
Lord Shiva. Thus the significance of Swamimalai.
Thiruttani
Valli, the impish
and fun loving gypsy, is an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga. Naarada,
the usual mischief maker, tells Lord Muruga about her beauty and her
ardent devotion to Him. Deciding to test her devotion, Lord Muruga
first appears as a hunter, than as an old man and even sends his brother
Ganesha in the form of an elephant to scare her. In the end. Lord
Muruga acknowledges Vallis devotion to him and marries her in
a joyous occasion.
Pazhamudircholai
Gods creation
of nature, the elements earth, fire, water, wind, ether, flora and
fauna - are all evidenced in great abundance in Pazhamudircholai.
Legend has it that, Auvvaiyar, a wise old lady and a great devotee
of the Lord Muruga, encountered the Lord in this particularly abundant
garden. Wanting to challenge her beliefs, Lord Muruga takes the form
of a young boy and plays a little with the wisdom of this grand old
lady. In her realization that, age and wisdom are not mutually inclusive
and that, one is always learning in life, Auvvaiyar is rewarded in
the visible form of Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivayanai in Pazhamudircholai.
Ganesha
This 30 minute
dance drama is completely performed by children with musical compositions
and voice overs. It is about the story of Lord Ganesha, the God with
an elephant head. Not knowing of Goddess Parvathis earlier arrangement
with young Ganesha, in a fit of anger, Lord Shiva severs young Ganeshas
head. Seeing the distraught Parvathi, Shiva orders his followers to
bring the head of the first thing they see alive. They return with
an elephants head and Shiva revives Ganesha by placing the elephants
head on the headless body. He then explains to all the significance
of of Ganesha in this form.
Ramayanam
Ramayana, the
great Hindu mythological epic, is portrayed in this production, choreographed
in classical dance forms. The focus is on Lord Rama and Goddess Sita,
thought to be THE IDEAL depiction of man and woman. The unique blend
of music is an original creation for this particular dance drama.
Buddha
This 30 minute
dance production portrays both elements of dance and drama. It showcases
how Buddhism evolved and the way in which it has changed peoples
lives.