Katra, Oct 24: The mega musical-theatre show series ‘Mata Ki Kahani’ conceived, designed and directed by Padamshree Balwant Thakur, the ultimate attraction of Navratra Festival-Katra concluded here on Tuesday at the Auditorium of Spiritual Growth Centre with the Sixteenth successful mind-blowing performance.
Organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Directorate of Tourism Jammu, this show series commenced on 2nd Navratra at the holy town and the brilliant artists of Natrang Jammu kept mesmerising large gatherings everyday with two highly professional presentations. This was the rarest of rare occasion in the Navratra Festival Katra where one could find the ultimate artistic creation interspersed with the most relevant theme narrating the entire legend of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
Fact remains that majority of the pilgrims coming to Katra paying obeisance at the shrine are not aware about the true story of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and this show of Natrang very appropriately fills that gap educating all about the story in a very creatively engaging manner. This presentation of Natrang is so engaging that there were instances when the spectators of 1st show sat through to witness the 2nd as well.
Giving details about the shows, Balwant Thakur the Director of Natrang informed that it took him over two years in creating this ultimate wonder on stage taking help of top professionals of Bollywood Film industry and talented designers, directors, music composers, choreographers, and art directors. Given the opportunity, Natrang can perform this show on a regular basis for the millions of devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. This show has all the potential to become another most sought-after destination in the holy town of Katra. On the occasion he repeatedly thanked Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Directorate of Tourism and divisional administration for giving Natrang an opportunity to offer the Navratra Festival audiences a spectacular piece of art and electrifying creativity which in a highly innovative manner unfolds the entire legend of Mata Vaishno Devi.
History has never witnessed a theatre presentation based on this one of the most popular Indian mythology. The most significant part of this performance is the usage of traditional narratives of Mata Vaishno Devi which have been echoing in the hills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi since last over one thousand years. This mind-blowing presentation is an assimilation of music, dance, drama and the latest developed techniques of visual magnifications and languages of images.
The story of Mata Vaishno Devi is a classic narrative that echoes every Hindu household and is a part of every grandma’s midnight tale. As per the legend, during the period when the Goddess was busy in annihilating the Asuras, Her three main manifestations viz. Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati got together one day and pooled their collective Tejas or spiritual strength. A stunningly bright light emanated from the place where the Tejas of the three manifestations coalesced and a beautiful young girl emerged out of this Tejas. The young girl asked them, “Why have I been created?” The Devis explained to her that they had created her so that she would live on earth and spend her time in upholding righteousness. They asked her to take human birth in the home of Ratnakar, who was a devotee of three Goddesses, and then go on to lead a life of piousness and penance, so as to raise her own consciousness to the level of Godhead. They also told her that once she had attained that level of consciousness, she would then become one with Lord Vishnu. Soon a young and beautiful girl was born to Ratnakar and his wife. They named her Vaishnavi. Right from her childhood, the girl was spiritually inclined and had a quest for the knowledge of the inner self. She would go into deep meditation and stay in that state for hours together. She then decided to renounce all worldly comforts and travel deep into the forest to perform severe austerities and penance. This is when she met Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and attained his blessings. She wanted to become one with Rama, as was her mission. However, Rama, knowing that it was not the right time, promised her that he would visit her again, after the end of his exile. He told her that if she recognized him at that time, he would then fulfill her wish.
Rama kept his promise, and came to meet her after winning the battle from Ravana in an old man’s disguise. But unfortunately, Vaishnavi could not recognise him. She became upset when Rama showed his true self to her. Rama told her that the time had yet not come for them to be with one another and assured her that they would unite during Kaliyug, when he would be in his incarnation of Kalki. Rama also asked her to set up her ashram in the foot of the Trikuta Hills and serve to uplift the poor and the destitute. And the story continues.
