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One more memorable production rolls out from the ever ebullient Vision Aid (www.visionaid.org) team to raise funds for the noble cause of serving the visually challenged. Under Vision Aid’s able auspices, the dance-ballet titled "Soora Samharam" - The Slaying of Demon, was staged on 15th of July at the Littleton High School Auditorium. Much to the excitement of a full house, the show transported us instantly into the Divine land! Mr. Sushil Tuli was the chief guest for the evening.

The story-line is adopted from Kandapuranam (Kalidasa's Kumara Sambavam being its Sanskrit equivalent). Much care was bestowed in the selection of apt sequences in the script for smooth depiction on stage. Soorapadman the demon king, acting on a boon from Lord Brahma, the creator, unleashes his atrocities on Devas to gain supremacy. The Devas appeal to Lord Brahma and Vishnu for an amicable solution. Prompted by Lord Vishnu (the Protector), a trick is played through Manmadha (Lord of Love), to bring in the ascetic Shiva into the arena of married life and produce a savior. As planned, Manmadha showers his flower arrows to disturb Shiva’s penance. An angered Shiva consigns Manmadha to ashes, and the wedlock of Shiva-Parvathi materializes. Following the divine union, from Shiva’s third eye on HIS forehead, a spark emanates and lands on the seats of six lotus flowers as six handsome babies. The Karthigai maidens bring up the six baby boys with utmost care and are delighted in their charm.
 
At the appropriate time, Mother Parvathi fuses these six boys into one valiant Muruga, who matures into a handsome youth to take on the demon, Soorapadma. Parvathi infuses eleven major divine energy (Shakthi) into a vel (spear) and presents it to Muruga to be used as HIS weapon. The war ensues. Prompted by a boon that he won't be killed by a human, the demon takes the fight lightly ignorant of Muraga’s divine origin. Unable to face the mighty Murugan, Soorapadman hides behind a tree. Muruga's forceful arrows split the tree into two halves. Now an humbled Soorapadman pleads to Muruga for renunciation. The ever merciful Lord Muruga transforms one half as a rooster, a symbol to adorn HIS flag and the other half becomes a peacock, HIS vehicle. As promised, the Deva king Indra marries his daughter Deivanai to Muruga. The love story of Valli, the tribal girl longing for her Lord, and her divine union with Muruga was annexed as well.
                                                  
The multi-talented director, composer and choreographer, Madurai Muralidharan, displayed his wonted penchant for the delightful dance movements in taking the story forward. At the same time he had skillfully availed all the scopes offered by the script for pure dance exhibition, (Oordhwa thandavam for instance), as the story unfolded.
 
A record number of artists – fifty four to be accurate, from toddler to adults with varying skill levels along with renowned dance teachers, rendered their talent and time for this mega production. They put out their best sustaining long hours of rehearsal and preparation for the portrayal. Their efforts, along with their families, indeed blossomed into a scintillating performance on stage. The sense of timing was amazing in that once the music started, all fell in place smoothly and everyone appeared on time as clock work!
 
An emphatic impression of the ballet is being audience-friendly. As the presentation moved on, the august audience enjoyed every bit of it – the colorful costumes, luring light effects, attractive props, one and all. The elephant wading through the trembling audience took the Oscars, of course, followed by the cute lotuses that held the Bala Murugans!!..
 
Thanks to Muralidharan’s multiple talents and able guidance combined with the tireless efforts of all the participants and families, the production ethics far exceeded expectations and kept the audience mesmerized and spell-bound for over three hours. Great imagination, creativity, consummate efforts, clever extraction of skills and colorful presentation amounted immensely to the astounding success of this production. Kudos to Muralidharan and the whole team!
 
The specialty of this production is that the dancers sponsored majority of the expenses along with dedicating their talent and time. Every participant of this production deserves applause and the audience acknowledged it all through their standing ovation.
 
Co-producers Jeyanthi Ghatraju and Ranjani Saigal have to be commended for their tremendous efforts in keeping the group focused, taking care of costumes/accessories/props, and managing rehearsals, amidst the demands of their own professional careers and family.
 
The whole-hearted and comprehensive support for the monumental efforts of this production provided by the Vision Aid team headed by Anu Chitrapu deserves special mention. This one is certainly another great addition to their already colorful cap!
 
As an old  saying goes, “Asura Samharam Deva Sukumaram". The evening ended on a note of awe, adoration and appreciation!
 
Participants in this production:

Bala Murugans (under12 yrs.)
Amy Koleth
Bhoomika Kumar
Deepika Kumar
Devika Nair
Disha Surajiwale
Diti Pitre
Divya Arun
Gopika Nair
Hamsika Saravananraj
Jaisakthi Kannan
Laya Ananthakrishnan
Madhumita Nambiar
Meenakshi Dwaraka
Merlin Joyce
Prisha Girish
Priya Veluri
Rebecca Koleth
Sadhaya Senthilkumar
Samyuktha Gopinath
Sankeerth Veluri
Shefali  Bakre
Shivani Belambe
Solai Alagappan
Sruthi Kurada
Sruthi Ramesh
 
Ramba/Urvashi and peacock
Shireen Bakre
Meghna Kanthan
 
Dancers:
Gayatri Menon (Lakshmi)
Gopika Senthilkumar (various roles)
Jeyanthi Ghatraju (Parvathi)
Meyya Muthu (various roles)
Monica Manickam (Vishnu)
Muvva Vangapalli (various roles)
Neha Parikh (Valli)
Nikita Minocha (various roles)
Nilanjana Nambiar (Andi Murugan)
Nisha Pillai (Ganesha)
Niveda Baskaran (Rathi)
Priya Girish (Brahma)
Priya Venkatesh (various roles)
Ranjani Saigal (Soorapadman)
Sandhya Reddy (Narada)
Sanjana Rao (various roles)
Sheetal Dwaraka (Manmadha)
Shilpa Narayanan (various roles)
Shreya Hegde (Brahmopadesham Murugan)
Shuruthe Ananthakrishnan (various roles)
Shweta Nirmal (Adult Murugan)
Sujatha Meyyappan (Shiva)
Susruthi Rajanala (Old Man disguised as Muruga)

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