Being Theatre enthusiasts and rasikas of Madras Sabhas and Cultural events, we take every possible opportunity on weekends to make it to the drama's and kutcheries in Chennai. Today was no different as Raghu and I decided to go to MFAC for a relaxed sunday evening theater extravaganza from Madras Ladies Drama Group founded by Bombay Gnanam akka 30 golden years ago. The last minute decision to make it, must have been his way of calling to know more about the great 'Paramahamsa'...Lord Ramakrishna and Sarada devi and Swami Vivekananda.
The evening opened up with the opening remarks on the play from Gnanam akka and the way she introduced the story line, the artists and the effort to bring this to the masses itself was a goosebumps beginning. The next 2 hours was a spiritual extravaganza...the inner awakening...and a kind of enlightenment. We have been visiting Ramakrishna Mission temple and also been part of several of their charitable works in the past and Raghu being an ardent disciple of Vivekananda...this evening made us get much closer to Sri Ramakrishnar himself.
There were moments of tears and happiness, a inner contentment of knowing more about the early years of the great saint and his way of invoking Goddess Kali, the moments of inner bliss and absolute divine consciousness. It was as if these ladies were taking us deeply into the life and history of Hinduism, Lord Ramakrishna and his life, his teachings, his way of looking at life, his absolute self of truth and inner awakening. His immense bhakthi that is not easy for ordinary minds to understand. His way of understanding the Goddess and his deep sense of belongingness to the Almighty in the much mightier form of Maha Maa Kali.
At one stage, we forget that it is the lady artists who are performing the roles of every male character on stage, and thanks to the costumes and props that actually take you to the era of Ramakrishnar. Great work from Charu, Ragini, Mohan Babu and Shymala. I am so happy to be knowing Ragini Praveen personally as a Inner Wheel friend. Sets from Mohan Babu transforms to real Dakisheswar and makes you long to be there at the Maa Kaali temple. My next trip to Dakishneswar Ramakrishna Mutt and Kali Maa temple in November will be making me surely reminiscence of this evening that actually took us to Kaali temple with ease with the sets that were so powerful and realistic.
Lights from Mano Lightings and Govind actually give the right effects to the stage and for this level of magnanimous production, lights and sound play a major role. Kannan and Saamy with their make up marks a different level of perfection, and not until the end during the introduction of the artists that you realize that there is no male artist on the stage and thanks to the precision in the make up by these great support from Kannan and Saamy..absolutely flawless.
Songs set to tune by Suchitra Balasubramanian makes you literally stand up in reverence at many places during the play with the selection of songs and high level of devotional music. You literally transfer yourself from MFAC to the banks of Dakishneswar temple and thanks to Suchitra's songs...and the background score and songs produced and arranged by Divakar Subramanian makes you thank him in abundance. Thara Srinivasan's story research, and Kamala Eswaran's role as Production Manager adds abundant value to this spectacular show. Associate Director Padma Ganapathy, and Production team including Mohan, Padma and Dakshin, needs a special mention
Every artist gave in their best. Especially Varsha, with her ligment tear did not mind pushing herself to done the role of Bhagwan Ramakrishna and she gave a stellar performance. I could not sit in my chair at the end and rose in sheer bliss to clap for all of them with absolute happiness for having attended this show today. Thank you team for this wonderful and mesmerizing journey taking us into the life story of Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsar. Thank you so much
This is not a propaganda for Hinduism or Ramakrishna Mission...but a honest attempt to make you understand what real Hinduism is and the way of life of a Hindu and takes you into the lives of both Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda...Last words, please spread the message for more and more people to view this wonderful play and also financial support this troupe to bring us many more shows like this. Go and enjoy the sheer bliss of Tamil Theater in its earnest effort to showcase the great life of Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Guruvey Saranam!
