| Review of Maha Shivarathiri Festival at the Balaji Temple in Arora, Illinois Review by Mrs Rajee Mani |
On the fourteenth day of the waning moon in the Kumba masa (7th of March this
year) falls Maha Shivarathri – a festival very close to the hearts of the Hindus living
all over the world. In India, in every Shiva temple – big or small, new or old – through
the day and throughout the night (rathri in Sanskrit), abhishekams archanas and
alankarams are performed to Lord Shiva mostly in Lingaroopa to the accompaniment
of Vedic chants, Rudram and Chamakam. The devotees throng the temples in
thousands to have a glimpse of this magnificent event and get the blessings of
“Pitha Devo Maheshwara” on this auspicious day (rather night)
Out here in Chicago, the coldest winter in 70years – the snow and the sleet –
could not stop our Indian community from celebrating Maha Shivarathri with the
same fervour and faith, devotion and dedication.
From 6th Thursday to 8th Saturday March 2008 Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
at Aurora in Illinois was transformed to a virtual Kailasa by the homams, japams and
aradhanas that penetrated through the American Sky. Not only this; as all art forms in
our culture are but aesthetic revelations of the spiritual and the divine it was indeed
fitting that the temple authorities had organized a Dance performance
“Shivasmruthi” by Ms. Anupama Rajesh on Saturday the 8th March, as part of the
events in connection with Maha Shivarathri.
As the title itself suggests, Anupama’s recital in front a full house that
evening, was a real Yagnya”, in ,Nrithya and Natya” form permeating the “Chith
Akasha” (mental sphere) of the “Rasika” with every aspect of Shiva – “Shiva Roopa,
“Shiva Guna” and “Shiva Leela Vibhuthi” – in short filling every iota of cosmic space
with “Shiva Smruthi”.
Pretty Anupama’s chic execution of the six songs selected in this context, was
a proof not only of her deep love for dance but also of her rigorous rehearsals. She
had taken care to choose many significant episodes depicting Lord Shiva’s unlimited
Grace and abundant mercy in coming to the quick rescue of his devotees. Her big
expressive eyes could convey the innumerable “bhavas” immersed in these stories
be it the unshakeable “bhakthi” of Nandanar or the arrogance of his master or the
utter helplessness of the aged vandhi or the anger of the Pandiya King or the
mischievous play acting by Lord Shiva in the guise of an urchin or the wrath of the
terrible yama dharma raja or the extreme fear and the total “Saranagathi of Bhaktha
Markandeya at the feet of the Shivalinga ! Since the entire two hours had one single
theme – Shiva – She had worked hard to depict beautifully a variety of Shiva
Thandawas” from the Bharatha Sastra!
Sri Dakshinamurthy is said to be Lord Shiva in the form of the Jagath Guru.
Anupama should have decided to dedicate this programme as a “Dakshina” to her
Guru Smt.Rajee Narayan for 3 out of the six pieces were composed and sung by her
dance guru!
Mrs. Shree Guruswamy (daughter of Mrs. Rajasulachana popular film star of
yester years) and Director of cultural activites) thanked Anupama Rajesh for
presenting this divine dance recital for Shivarathri ; The artist in turn expressed her
gratitude to the temple management in general and Mrs. Sharada Venkataraman
(administrative officer) and Mrs. Shree Guruswamy the cultural coordinator in
particular for having given her the wonderful opportunity to Sow seeds of Shiva
Smruthi in the hearts of rasikas through the unparalled medium of our “Bharatha
Natyam”.
As we returned home in the cold and wintry night after an enjoyable evening,
we too thanked the temple authorities not only for showering “Shiva Prasadam” on
us devotees during the Maha Shivarathri celebrations but also for making available,
delicious prasadams (steaming Idli-Dosa-wada & South Indian Coffee!) so late in the
night at the temple canteen! After all is it not customary for us Indians to say,
“Annadatha Sukhi Bhava!”
Text & Photo: Mrs. Rajee Mani
year) falls Maha Shivarathri – a festival very close to the hearts of the Hindus living
all over the world. In India, in every Shiva temple – big or small, new or old – through
the day and throughout the night (rathri in Sanskrit), abhishekams archanas and
alankarams are performed to Lord Shiva mostly in Lingaroopa to the accompaniment
of Vedic chants, Rudram and Chamakam. The devotees throng the temples in
thousands to have a glimpse of this magnificent event and get the blessings of
“Pitha Devo Maheshwara” on this auspicious day (rather night)
Out here in Chicago, the coldest winter in 70years – the snow and the sleet –
could not stop our Indian community from celebrating Maha Shivarathri with the
same fervour and faith, devotion and dedication.
From 6th Thursday to 8th Saturday March 2008 Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
at Aurora in Illinois was transformed to a virtual Kailasa by the homams, japams and
aradhanas that penetrated through the American Sky. Not only this; as all art forms in
our culture are but aesthetic revelations of the spiritual and the divine it was indeed
fitting that the temple authorities had organized a Dance performance
“Shivasmruthi” by Ms. Anupama Rajesh on Saturday the 8th March, as part of the
events in connection with Maha Shivarathri.
As the title itself suggests, Anupama’s recital in front a full house that
evening, was a real Yagnya”, in ,Nrithya and Natya” form permeating the “Chith
Akasha” (mental sphere) of the “Rasika” with every aspect of Shiva – “Shiva Roopa,
“Shiva Guna” and “Shiva Leela Vibhuthi” – in short filling every iota of cosmic space
with “Shiva Smruthi”.
Pretty Anupama’s chic execution of the six songs selected in this context, was
a proof not only of her deep love for dance but also of her rigorous rehearsals. She
had taken care to choose many significant episodes depicting Lord Shiva’s unlimited
Grace and abundant mercy in coming to the quick rescue of his devotees. Her big
expressive eyes could convey the innumerable “bhavas” immersed in these stories
be it the unshakeable “bhakthi” of Nandanar or the arrogance of his master or the
utter helplessness of the aged vandhi or the anger of the Pandiya King or the
mischievous play acting by Lord Shiva in the guise of an urchin or the wrath of the
terrible yama dharma raja or the extreme fear and the total “Saranagathi of Bhaktha
Markandeya at the feet of the Shivalinga ! Since the entire two hours had one single
theme – Shiva – She had worked hard to depict beautifully a variety of Shiva
Thandawas” from the Bharatha Sastra!
Sri Dakshinamurthy is said to be Lord Shiva in the form of the Jagath Guru.
Anupama should have decided to dedicate this programme as a “Dakshina” to her
Guru Smt.Rajee Narayan for 3 out of the six pieces were composed and sung by her
dance guru!
Mrs. Shree Guruswamy (daughter of Mrs. Rajasulachana popular film star of
yester years) and Director of cultural activites) thanked Anupama Rajesh for
presenting this divine dance recital for Shivarathri ; The artist in turn expressed her
gratitude to the temple management in general and Mrs. Sharada Venkataraman
(administrative officer) and Mrs. Shree Guruswamy the cultural coordinator in
particular for having given her the wonderful opportunity to Sow seeds of Shiva
Smruthi in the hearts of rasikas through the unparalled medium of our “Bharatha
Natyam”.
As we returned home in the cold and wintry night after an enjoyable evening,
we too thanked the temple authorities not only for showering “Shiva Prasadam” on
us devotees during the Maha Shivarathri celebrations but also for making available,
delicious prasadams (steaming Idli-Dosa-wada & South Indian Coffee!) so late in the
night at the temple canteen! After all is it not customary for us Indians to say,
“Annadatha Sukhi Bhava!”
Text & Photo: Mrs. Rajee Mani
| The author of the article, Mrs. Rajee Mani, is a freelance journalist and columnist based in Chennai (visiting US this winter). Proficient in both Tamil and English, she contributes regularly to Gyanabhumi, Alwarpet times and Nungai time. Her articles have been published in leading newspapers like the Hindu and the Indian Express and Tamil journals like Kunkumam, Kumudham Snehidhi, Aval Vikadhan, etc. She was a math teacher in Vidyodaya in Chennai, which she quit some time back to become an interior decorator to rebuild her heritage house in Chennai. This became an instrument to secure the title "Mrs. Chennai 2000" and "Mrs Homemaker 2005". She is also a regular speaker for All India Radio, Chennai. She believes that all these achievements would not have been possible but for the support and encouragement of her family. |
| Mrs Sri Guruswamy - Cultural Coordinator for the program |