Shekhar Sen who inspired and enthralled Boston audiences with his very special presentation Kabeer last year, brought us yet another play depicting the life of one of the most inspirational Indian spiritual teachers of all times – Swami Vivekananda.  The play was brought to Boston by Pallavi Gandhi and Chandu Shah and presented at the R.J Grey Jr High auditorium on May 5 2007.

A phenomenal singer, actor and an all round performer, Sen uses all aspects of Natya to bring to life some of the most fascinating historical figures.  Sen uses his presentation to cover all important aspects of the person’s life.

This play opens with Sen bringing to life the childhood of Vivekananda.  The first major episode is when hearing an expletive from the mouth of the young Vivekananda, his father decides to provide home tutoring for him. From a young age Swamiji always showed a curiosity and anxiety to see God. His quest for meeting a man who has actually seen God and can provide a glimpse of the Lord brings  him to his famous guru Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.  The meeting of the two great minds was brought out beautifully by Sen.

The play travels with Swami Vivekananda to different parts of India and to Rajasthan where the king of Khatiawad gives Swamiji the name of Vivekananda and also his signature outfit with the Khatiawadi turban.  In Khatiawad, Swamiji meets a Nartaki (dancer) who at first he looks down upon. When he hears her sing “Prabhuji More Awgun Chitha Na Dharo” he is transformed for he realizes that he has no right to look upon anyone as an inferior being.  He realizes that the word Nartaki transposes to Kirtan and it is eyes of the viewer and not the dancer who is flawed.  Sen also included a wonderful rendition of the bhajan “Mata Kalika” made famous by Pandit Jasraj in the presentation. The life of Swami Vivekananda during his sojourn to the USA and his return to India to establish the Ramakrishna Math with the sole goal of transforming India was presented powerfully.

Sen has done extensive research to make sure that the character is authentically depicted. The authenticity of the research and the brilliance of the performer left the audience spellbound. For the hour the audience truly felt that they were in the presence of Swami Vivekanand.

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