In India we have named our National Sudoku and Puzzle Champions as "Sudoku Mahabharat" and "Puzzle Ramayan". Have you ever wondered what is Mahabharata and what is Ramayan!!!
The Mahabharata and Ramayana are the two major Sanskrit sacred epics of ancient India.
Its time to know more about Mahabharata and Ramayana in the Cultural program.

Here is brief about the cultural program.

Introduction of the Performer
Today's performer will be Nrityabhushan Amruta Jagam along with her team. Amruta’s journey with Bharatnatyam began at the age of 4 and took her to the stages of India and abroad. She has performed extensively in the UK and Australia as well as in many famous dance festivals like Kalidas, Kala ghoda festival and the Rajim festival to name a few. Amruta has to her credit many national awards namely the Nritya Bhushan, Gopi Krishna, Balraj Sahni and Shringara mani. Her latest addition to this is the Nartaki Puraskar from the All India Dancer’s Association with which she was honoured this month.

Berief Introduction about the program.
Ramayana Part
The first dance item that Amruta will be performing this evening is based on famous stories from the Ramayana, an ancient Indian text. Her dance depicts two of these stories.

The first part is the swayamvar of Sita and Lord Rama. A swayamvar was a practice in ancient India where a girl of marriageable age chose a husband from among a list of suitors. King Janaka of Mithila has announced a swayamvar for his daughter Sita. He has sent invitations to potential kings and princes of many kingdoms requesting them to compete for Sita’s hand in marriage. He announces that whomsoever can wield the bow gifted to him by Lord Shiva and string it, would marry Sita.
Ravana, the demon king of Lanka tries to life the bow, first with his little fingers and then with both hands by fails. Ravana’s pride is shaken and he gets terribly angry.

The second part of the dance is Shabarimoksha. This is a story of an old ascetic woman, Shabari who is known for her deep devotion towards Lord Rama. This sincere devotion of Shabari draws Rama to the hermitage where she stays. On seeing Rama, Shabari is ecstatic. She says that she has nothing to offer him except some berry fruits. Before offering each fruit, Shabari first tastes it. Only if it is sweet, does she offer it to the Lord, else she discards the fruit. Pleased with Shabari’s devotion, Rama blesses her and she attains moksha or eternal bliss.


Mahabharata Part
This dance item is set in Ragamalika to Mishra Chaapu thalam.
The next item is a Shabdam. This Shabdam is based on the game of dice in the Mahabharatha. The Mahabharatha is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family - the Pandavas and Kauravas. The Kaurava prince, Duryodhana invites Yudhisthira and his brothers to a game of dice. Duryodhana’s evil uncle, Shakuni comes in to play for Duryodhana.
During the game Yudhishtira stakes and loses his property, kingdom and brothers. He now has nothing to stake. Shakuni suggests that he can stake Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Yudhishtira stakes Draupadi and loses her too.


This is not to be missed program. So see you all in the Galaxy Hall at 16:15