GROUP PRODUCTIONS

SITAA RAAMA KATHAA / RAAMANAATAKAM (1993) (Collaboration)

As the mythology of Greece and Rome had fed the arts of the West, so has Ramayana fed the arts of India.The story of Sita and Rama is the subject of the Hindu epic Ramayana, which has provided entertainment and spiritual nourishment for countless people in India for over 2300 years. The tale describes lofty values to live by, love for fellow beings and strengths and weaknesses of human nature. The performance in Bharatanaatyam and Kathakali uses verses from the immortal Valmiki Ramayanam, Arunachala Kavi’s 18th century opera Ramanaatakam, Tulsidas’s 17th century Rama Charitha Manas, Kamba Ramayanam and songs written by the lyrical 17th century Carnatic music composer Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This presentation is unique in 2 different aspects. Firstly, the entire story of Ramayana was related using episodes not commonly seen in other depictions. Secondly, it brought alive the characters of the Ramayana without resorting to elaborate costumes or props. The dancers adorned simple dance costumes and brought forth characters through interpretive dance. The dancers took on different roles, sometimes even switched roles.

With Singapore India Fine Arts Society, it was choreographed for International Art Festival of Government of Singapore in1986. Music composed by Turaiyur Rajagopala Sharma.

Synopsis

The invocation is a salutary dance addressed to Lord Ranganatha, reclining at the temple in Srirangam in Tamilnadu. It encapsules the tale of Rama, Sita and Sri Krishna.

Baala Kaandam - Book of Youth:

-Rama, the eldest son of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya, along with his brother Lakshmana, is taken to the forest by sage Vishwamitra to help save the sages from marauding demons. Mission accomplished, Rama and Lakshman are then led to the city of Mithila, the land of the beautiful Sita. In Mithila, Sita is seen playing a game of ball with her friends. During the game, the ball rolls across the path of Rama who happens to pass by and Rama and Sita get to see each other.

-Rama has succeeded in winning Sita’s hand by breaking Shiva’s bow during the Swayamvara. Sita’s father King Janaka, announces the wedding and the citizens of Mithila joyously prepare for the event.

Ayodhya Kaandam – Book of Ayodhya:

-Rama and Sita have been living happily in Ayodhya and Dasaratha announces Rama’s coronation. Manthara, a hunchback, is determined to stop the coronation and approaches Kaikeyi, Dasaratha’s third queen and stepmother of Rama. Kaikeyi is convinced and asks Manthara for a way to stop the coronation. Manthara reminds Kaikeyi of the 2 boons that the King had promised her long ago and asks that one boon is for her son Bharata to be crowned, the other that Rama be banished to the forest.

-Kaikeyi rewards Manthara with gold, then assumes the demeanor of an enraged woman. When Dasaratha sees her, he is aghast at her dishevelment and unhappiness. Kaikeyi reminds him of the 2 boons he had granted her when she had saved him from disaster by steering his chariot to safety. She asks that her son Bharata should rule the land and Rama be banished to the forest. No amount of pleading works and Dasaratha falls unconscious in grief.

-Unable to be parted from Rama, Sita and Lakshmana join Rama in his banishment. The citizens try to stop them. Subsequently the trio cross the Ganga in Guha’s boat and their travels lead them to the Panchavati forest. Bharata angrily denounces his mother Kaikeyi for her treachery, goes after Rama and pleads with him to return, but in vain. He wistfully agrees to rule on Rama’s behalf till he returns.

Aaranya Kaandam – Book of Forest:

- Demoness Soorpanaka, the sister of Ravana, spies Rama in the forest and approaches him. Smitten by him, she assumes the form of a beautiful woman and tells him that she had remained single all the while in anticipation of his arrival, that he and she were meant for each other. Both brothers spurn her advances and finally, Rama asks Lakshmana to cut off her nose.

-Enraged by the humiliation meted out to his sister, Ravana plots to avenge the insult by abducting Sita. For this, he sends Mareecha in the guise of a golden deer, to entice and lead Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita.

- Sita spots the beautiful deer and asks Rama to capture it for her. Happy to oblige, Rama chases after the deer. From a distance, a distressed cry is heard and Sita urges Lakshmana to rescue Rama. Knowing the connivance of the demon, Lakshmana draws a line in front of Sita and asks her not to cross it till he returned. After he departs, Ravana, in the guise of a sage, tricks Sita into crossing the line and abducts her.

- As Ravana carries Sita away in his Pushpaka Vimana, the great bird Jatayu confronts him. In the ensuing battle, Ravana chops off Jatayu’s wings and carries Sita Away.

Kishkinda Kaandam – Book of Kishkinda:

- Rama and Lakshmana arrive at Kishkinda, the monkey kingdom, during their search for Sita. Rama is befriended by chief Sugreeva and his minister Hanuman. Rama offers to ensure Sugreeva’s victory over his dominating elder brother Vali. There is a duel between the brothers and an arrow from the hidden Rama kills Vali. (Rama pays for this act by never achieving happiness in his life.) Sundara Kaandam – Book of Beauty:

- As promised, Sugreeva sends his army of monkeys in different directions to search for Sita. Hanuman reaches Sri Lanka. In the Ashoka Vanam, a captive Sita, surrounded by demonesses laments her fate. She tries to strangle herself when she hears the voice of Hanuman chanting the name of Sri Rama. Hearing these words, Sita asks Hanuman who he is, to which Hanuman responds by describing Rama as he knows him. Convincing Sita about his identity, Hanuman requests Sita to give him some jewel as proof of his having met her.

Yuddha Kandam - Book of War:

- Hanuman returns to Rama with news of meeting Sita. Rama decides to wage war against Ravana, with the support of the monkey army. The action packed scene depicts the building of the bridge over the mighty ocean by the army of monkeys. A little squirrel helps them in their job. The army crosses the bridge and heads for battle.

- A big battle has been fought between Rama and Ravana and the celestial beings describe the action.
- After the battle, everyone returns to Ayodhya and Rama is crowned with pomp and festivity.