Anantapur: Exotic dance, choir thrill audience

Anantapur: A Balinese-Indonesian Dance Opera was followed by a Sai African Choir by Nigeria. Arjuna Tapa, a Mahabharata episode, as the title suggests was a depiction of Arjuna's ordeals to win the grace of Mahadev, Lord Shiva, and thus His mighty weapon Pasupatastra.

Much different from the native Indian style of mythological depictions, the Balinese-Indonesian presentation on Friday followed the traditional Balinese style on the occasion of 90th birth anniversary celebrations of Satya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam. Multimedia in the backdrop turned out to be an added attraction.

Traditional musical instruments, Gamelan and the popular singing bowl were also in play, adding musical perfection to the 40-minute show. Surviving a testing time with a series of "fairies onslaught" at the instance of Lord Indra, only to test Arjuna's forbearance, finally Arjuna had to endure a face-off with Lord Shiva, who comes in the guise of Kirata. Having lost his battle with Kirata, a bewildered Arjuna learns a lesson in humility before winning the Pasupatastra from the Divine Hands, lesson for the modern Arjuna's being to forego vanity.

Formed in 2009, the Sai African Choir had its maiden offering in the same year during the Guru Purnima celebrations in the Prashanti Nilayam followed by another stint in 2012, during the 85th birthday celebrations.

Presenting their 3rd in the series of offerings at this evening, a group of over 20 men and women sang for the next 40 minutes. Ably conducted by Dr Adebowale Adeogun, an accomplished musician, the choir had a selection of nine gems in Igbo, Yoruba and English, which were followed by two Sai bhajans.

 

 

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