Tat Tvam Asi: A dance tribute to Swami Chinmayananda
- In Religion
- 08:52 AM, Sep 16, 2018
- Kayar Raghavan
Martha Graham said, "Dancers are the messengers of the gods." Those words especially ring true as one looks at the rich traditions of Classical Indian dance and music, where spiritualism, social justice, religion, mythology, and philosophy often come together in intricate choreographies to dazzle audiences. It is particularly noteworthy when such traditions thrive and grow outside India, spreading noble messages across the globe.
Usha Raghavan, a renowned Bharatanatyam artiste in London, is focused on teaching Bharatanatyam and producing original choreographies with such messages around spirituality and charitable giving. Laser focused on staying true to tradition, but pushing the boundaries of creativity, Usha Raghavan and her institute, Kalasagara UK, are known for beautifully executed dance dramas that are showcased in prestigious theaters and festivals across the globe. Her latest production – Tat Tvam Asi – is a thematic Bharatanatyam production describing the life of Swami Chinmayananda and the birth of the Chinmaya Mission – a spiritual movement that aims for inner growth at the individual and collective levels. After its global premiere in London last year, the show will now premiere in the USA in Fremont, California, on October 21st at 3PM and in Manhattan, New York on October 28th at 4PM. Tat Tvam Asi features an original musical score by some of the finest musicians from the UK and ten brilliant dancers from across the United States, including Srinidhi Raghavan, a seasoned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer. It is produced by Kalasagara UK in conjunction with Srinidhi Raghavan and Vinita Venkatesh. For tickets and details, click here.
When Chinmaya Mission UK originally commissioned this production by Usha, she was greatly inspired by its motto: “to provide individuals from any background the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors of society”. To promote this message through the arts is exactly in line with the philosophy of her institute Kalasagara UK, an institute that traces its roots to Chennai, where it was first established in 1972.
To quote a review of the original production in London,
“The elevating musical and dance journey comprised of various scenes depicting the epic life of Swami Chinmayananda, accompanied by engaging narration. It included original scenes of his celebrated birth in Kerala, his turbulent days as an Indian freedom fighter and then journalist, and his spiritual journey to the mighty Himalayas that ultimately spawned the creation of the Chinmaya Mission global movement.
Weaved throughout the performance - but featured most prominently at the very start and end of the show - was the original Sanskrit composition ‘Chinmaya Mahima Stotram’ that extols the greatness of the realised Master Swami Chinmayananda.
The thematic mega-dance production was ultimately a loving tribute and offering to a great spiritual teacher of modern times by an accomplished artist and the entire supporting team. The mammoth task that brought out the essence of his life was clearly the fruit of Usha Raghavan’s excellent understanding and total involvement in the Subject, internalisation of the main themes, and infusion of requisite emotional depth into each scene and character, all portrayed through a unique and flawless choreography.
During his lifetime, Swami Chinmayananda was a patron and connoisseur of the arts, and encouraged many devotees who were artists to excel in their craft. He blessed the performances of hundreds of budding and established artists. In doing so, he drew attention to the inextricable link between divinity and the arts in Hindu culture, inspiring performers such as all those who participated in this show to dedicate their art to the higher. But Swami Chinmayananda also emphasised that the spiritual potential expressed in an art form is not the exclusive privilege of the artist alone, but an opportunity for the audience to connect too. In a message to a crowd before a Bharatanatyam performance he had once said, ‘Unhook your mind from the outer world…flow with the rhythm of the dancer’s movements. Allow her to lift you into realms unknown, where you can be in Bliss Supreme.’ Could he have had a future artiste too in his mind when he said it?”
While the logistics of coordinating all the dancers spread out across the USA (five in California, four in New York, one in Boston) is not an easy affair, Usha says that discipline, dedication, passion, smart planning, and the efficient use of technology have all been instrumental in pulling together this enormous effort.
For audiences in the US, Tat Tvam Asi promises to be a delight. A show that absolutely should not be missed. For a quick preview, click here. And to sponsor the show, click here.
Note featured dancers in the production include: Srinidhi Raghavan, Vinita Venkatesh, Yatrika Ajaya, Sahana Sridhar, Sharanyaa Ganesan, Samyukta Rao, Sophia Salingaros, Shruti Vinjamur, Vasudha Narasimha, and Madhu Sanam
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