A Dance of Devotion to Lord Maha Vishnu
The Sri Shirdi Sai Trust of Sri Lanka along with the trustees of Sri Varatharaja Vinayagar temple – Sai Nathanin Saranalayam, Kotahena, Colombo, have jointly organized a devotional classical Bharathanatyam dance performance by Sri Pavithra Krishna Bhat, a popular classical dancer from India, on Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 pm at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, Colombo.
The event has been arranged to create an awareness of the magnificent Shirdi Sai consciousness that is happening globally and to seek support for the upcoming Shirdi Sai meditation and community center at Elston estate – Puwakpittiya, Avissawella.
Sri Lanka and Sri Ranga are quite connected. The reclining statue of Maha Vishnu situated near Trichy South India they say was on its way to Sri Lanka and Vibeeshana could not bring Maha Vishnu after a short break.
Dancer Pavitra Krishna portrays a devotee who wishes to get a glimpse of Shri Ranga and hence starts his journey from river Kaveri and presenting the glory of Garuda (Bird Eagle) which is the vehicle mount of Lord Vishnu.
This production concludes the elements of devotion (Bhakti) and gives the complete experience of worshipping in a temple. Kshetram(temple), Thirtham (river), Mandiram (chanting of veda), Pravesham (entry), Darshanam (vision), Anubhavam (experience) and Utsavam (celebration) are explored through ‘Sri Ranga pura vihara’ one of the most popular compositions of poet Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar.
Rama conquered Ravana in the battle and crowned Vibhishana as the king of Lanka. As a symbol of love and eternal protection Rama gifted, the idol of Vishnu who was in a reclining form with the condition that wherever the Idol was placed that would be the permanent abode of the Idol. Vibhishana found himself in a dilemma; as he had to perform his evening pooja and could not keep the idol anywhere. Lord Ganesha took the form of a shepherd and offered to help Vibhishana by holding the idol while Vibhishana performing his prayers. When Vibhishana returned, Lord Ganesha had kept the idol on the ground and the idol had stretched in the reclining form of Sri Ranganatha. Vibhishana persuaded the Lord to accompany him to Lanka, but the Lord refused. Lord Vishnu then gave his word to Vibhishana that he would watch over his kingdom and his glance would always be upon Lanka.
Shri Pavitra Krishna Bhat from Mumbai trained under renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Shri Deepak Mazumdar and an A grade artiste of Doordarshan also choreographed and performed in many thematic presentations in India, Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia Canada and Usa and is a recipient of many accolades and recognition from many scholars in the field.