Square Play Houses

Sometimes, greatest of thoughts may come from humblest of people. Once a court dancer, singer wanted Swami Vivekananda to watch her sing and dance. Swamiji being a sanyasi (saint) refused her request, saying that sanyasis should not indulge in such art forms as the person performing may lead their mind away from God towards worldly pleasures. But he decided to hear her sing from his room. In her song she questioned Swamiji how he can see her different from others, who always says all souls are same and potentially divine. The greatest practitioner of Advita was stunned at this question. He immediately left his room, went in person to the performance and even apologized to her.

The characteristics of the play house we spoke until last week were all characteristics of rectangular play houses. Let us see how the Chaturasra or square play houses were built. The plot should be an exact square, divided into the requisite parts by means of a measuring string. Strong bricks were used for the construction of the outer walls. Inside the stage ten pillars are to be raised in the relevant directions. These support the roof. Externally to the pillars seats are constructed in the form of galleries. Successive rows are little higher than the previous ones for the audience to watch the performance clearly. The seats should overlook the stage.

More pillars are raised in order to support the roof of the play house. Proper fasteners are to be used to fix the pillars to the roof. They are then decorated with sculptures. The green room is to be constructed scrupulously. One door leads to the stage. Another door faces the auditorium. In case of rectangular play houses the plinth in which the green rooms are built is higher than the stage. In square play houses, both the stage and green rooms are at the same level.

Concentration is very important while performing dance. Once, a friend of mine was performing ‘Parijatha Patalam’ of Krishna. In this, Rukmini is supposed to take a flower and smell it. My friend acted taking the flower in her hand and lost concentration at that point. Instead of smelling the flower, she nicely put it inside her mouth. We friends sitting with the audience looked at each other and tried not to laugh.