Adoration of the Gods of the stage

Hi! Usually I update my blog with a new post on Friday nights or early Saturday mornings, so that it will be available for every one to read on Saturday. But today is Monday. ‘Better late than never’! Is it not? A true example for this saying is none other than ‘Rukmini Devi Arundel’. She was the founder of the great dance institution, Kalakshetra. She learnt Bharathanatyam at a later age in her life and did her Arangetram at the age of 36. Kalakshetra until now stands as one of the best dance institutions in the world.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I want to give you the names of the commentators of Natya Shastra who lived in the early centuries A.D. They are Lollata, Udbhata, Sankuka and the most famous is Abhinavagupta. Natya Shastra is very voluminous as most other literature of early periods. This is the reason why such books did not become popular.

Now, let us enter the 3^rd chapter of Natya Shastra. The topic is ‘Adoration of the Gods of the stage’. The first mentioned is Cow. Cow has to be kept in the dramatic house during the worship. Brahmins will chant the Mantras. Natyacharya or the dance teacher should consecrate the play house. Lord Siva, Vishnu, Indra, Guha, Lakshmi and many other Gods were worshipped. The Gods are prayed for protection during the performance. Then, ’Jarjara’, Indra’s missile is prayed for the destruction of evils and protection of the play house.

Writer ‘Kalki’ had a great sense of humour. His earlier writings are being published every week in the weekly magazine Kalki. Once he was watching a dancer performing the song, ‘Krishna nee Begane Baaro’. A young man and woman were seated next to him. They both were trying to find out the meaning for the song. The man came to a conclusion that Krishna wants to borrow (the song says baaro) something. Later Mr. Kalki explained that it means, 'Oh Krishna come here quickly'. Baaro means ‘come’ in Kannada language.