Today we will explore Rabindranath Tagore's Dance Legacy.
This is my 11.11 post ; written on the 11th Day of the 11th Month.
After Introducing you to the poems of Rabindranath Tagore mainly (Gitanjali) ; I gave you all a glimpse of Rabindra Sangeet by introducing you all to Eklo Chalo Re ; one of the popular song composed by Tagore.
Today i want to introduce you all to RABINDRANRITYANATYA.
RABINDRANRITYANATYA is Tagore's Dance/Drama.
The life of a man with Joys ; Sorrows ; Success ; Failures ; courses along with FORM called COLOUR ; SHAPE ; SIZE.
If we remove all FORMS ; only SOUND AND MOTION is left.
Sound alone is MUSIC and MOTION alone is PURE DANCE.
This is how Tagore ventured into MUSIC and DANCE.
Rabindranritya is a synthesis of Manipuri dance of Manipur and Kathakali of Kerala.
Tagore composed 4 Dance-Drama.
1. Chandalika
2. Chitrangada
3. Shyama
4. Shrabhangatha
For Tagore Dance was a "PHYSICAL EXTENSION OF POEMS AND SONGS".
Today we will explore CHANDALIKA.
Chandalika is one of the Spiritual Dance-Drama of Rabindranth Tagore.
The story revolved around a girl by name Prakriti who is shunned by the society because of her LOW-CASTE. One day a monk by name ANANDA who was thirsty approaches her for water.
Metaphorically Prakriti represents A MARGINALIZED HUMAN BEING and ANANDA represents BLISS/CONSCIOUSNESS.
Prakriti tells Ananda that she is untouchable but Ananda claims that all human beings are equal and accepts water from Prakriti ; After drinking water that was served by Prakriti Ananda continues his Journey.
This event changes the life of Prakriti and Prakriti informs her Mother - Maya that she is AWAKENED. Her mother refuses to accept that a Monk accepted water from her untouchable daughter.
As per Bhagavadgita ; a lower caste human is the one with low level of consciousness. It has nothing to do with colour and occupation.
When Prakriti's yearning for Ananda cross all boundaries she commits a flaw.
Prakriti in order to challenge the society decides to enchant and ensnare (trap) Ananda. The want to POSSESS Ananda makes Prakriti plead her Mother Maya to bring him to her by fiercest magic spell.
The black magic of Maya forces Ananda to come back to Prakriti's house ; but when he arrived ; Prakriti was shocked to see Ananda at her door.
Ananda no longer looked BLISSFUL ; He looked very ANIMALISTIC.
Lesson from Chandalika : When consciousness is lowered it becomes Animalistic.
Prakriti was already changed by Ananda ; but rather than adapting to CHANGE ; Prakriti tries to bring Ananda to her level.
In more SIMPLER WORDS let me Reiterate.....
Indians in general have a high LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS.
For many Indians including me over a cup of coffee in about half an hour's time we can decide if the person who is with us can be a potential partner or not with 100% accuracy.
This is because of our HIGH LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS.
The PREDATORY RISK is low when you have a high level of Consciousness.
While Americans even after living with a person for 10 years are unable to judge and get any clarity about their partner. This is because they have low level of Consciousness. Interesting thing is that while they are living with one partner they date multiple other partners in parallel so that they get more OPTIONS to chose from the BEST ! Animals also do the same because of their low level of consciousness.
When consciousness is LOWERED there is no difference between a HUMAN BEING AND AN ANIMAL.
Let me introduce you all to one of the famous poem composed by Arunachala Kavi.
This Tamil poem is called YARO IVAR YARO.
Both lyrics and music for this poem was composed by Arunachala Kavi.
This Poem was first premiered in SRIRANGAM TEMPLE dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The poem is all about the meeting of Lord Rama with Goddess Sita for the first time and how they recognized each other at the first sight although they were unaware of each other's earthly names.
As the Eyes of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita meet, waves of emotions collide and the stream of their thoughts SYNC. It is a sight to behold.
The moods revolve around Sringara Rasa.
Lord Rama wonders on Glimpsing Goddess Sita and thinks :
Who is She? What is her name? I know not?
In the beautiful city of Mithila where clouds and symbols of wealth abounds - her appearance looks like the Goddess seated on Lotus (Goddess Lakshmi). Who could it be? Do i know her?
Is it a relationship that has transcended TIME.
The thoughts of Goddess Sita was in sync with Lord Rama :
Who is he?
Definitely this is not LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
This has to be RECOGNITION AT FIRST SIGHT.
RECOGNITION AT FIRST SIGHT = HIGH CONSCIOUSNESS.
Who are thou? and what are thy names?
Their names are Dharma and Artha (Wealth).
The meeting of Dharma and Artha (Wealth) is a DIVINE SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
Sri Rangam Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu nominated as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE located in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The poem "Yaro Ivar Yaro" revolves around Sringara Rasa ; it was not only composed inside Srirangam Temple it was first premiered with music inside the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
This poem is a part of Bharatanatyam Syllabus.
How many of us can RECOGNIZE POTENTIAL PARTNER AT FIRST SIGHT ?
India is a country of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
India should set an example for other countries and help uplift Human Race.
Happy 11.11.
Be in sync with the UNIVERSE.
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