On 18 May 2013, at Chinmaya Mission Boston, sounds of familiar melodies filled the air and the sound of bells echoed a rhythm, a celebration of Sri Krishna – a child, friend, lover, warrior, guru, philosopher and one who steals his way into our hearts. The evening’s program treated an enthusiastic audience to a lovely musical experience and a visual treatise through dance.

The stage opened with a hearty welcome by the emcees, Archana Gorur and Krishna Gorur, who carried the evening with grace, humor and goodwill. Gracing the stage as the show commenced were the littlest ones “Bala Gopala Bhajana Mandali”, who presented the invocation, a prayer to lord Ganesh, followed by the devotional number “Hum ko man ki shakti dena.” Their innocent voices raised in prayer set the tone for the evening.

CMB Sangeet group’s musical celebration began with the lilting melody of “Radha Kaise na Jale” from the film Lagan and moved on to musical numbers that framed the moods; Ka karoon Sajini,( Swami) -- a lover, Bole re Papihara ( Guddi)  --- call of the cuckoo bird in spring, Jab deep jale aana (Chit Chor) and Aaoge jab tum (Jab we met) --- the sweetness of union at twilight; the softness of Chandan sa badan (Saraswatichandra)--- describing his beauty that draws us to him. The audience clapped away to  Badi der Bhayi Nandalaala (Khandan) … as the waiting for Krishna grew longer. Madhuban mein Radhika (Kohinoor), transported the crowd to Vrindavan and the vision of beautiful Radha dancing for, and with Krishna. Ek  Radha ek Meera (Ram teri Ganga maili), drew from the depths of devotion, in both sringara and bhakti rasa. A persistent Krishna then pleaded with Radha, Bol Radha Bol sangam ( Sangam) cajoling her towards a sweet union. Shyam teri Bansi  (Geet gata chal )--- the call of the flute seeks Radha, and Meera totally mesmerized by its call surrenders, turning inwards away from the crowds. The musical journey to realize “Bansi Wala” culminated in a devotional rendering of Baaje Muraliyaa that calls for the world to turn inward, listen to the call of the flute and surrender at his feet. Members of Chinmaya Mission Boston’s Sangeet team; Madhusudhan Akkihebbal, Laxmi Ramesh, Naresh Parmar, Ravi Mosurkal, Rakshit Mazumdar, Vijayakumar Harohalli and Padma Sundareshan, together with musical accompanists; Ravi Mosurkal (Harmonium), Satish Bhat and Shashank Madhu (Key board), Guitar (Sudhir Srinivasan), Raghav Ranjan, Pravin Chaturvedi and Satish Ananta Iyer (percussion)  put their heart and soul into the presentations spreading good will, cheer and joy.

The second half of the program came alive in the form of a presentation … “Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum” presented by Ranjani Saigal and a team of dancers from the Boston area. The dances represented different classical styles --- Bharatanatyam and Odissi. The opening dance “Yashomati Maiya” a Surdas bhajan  (Satyam Shivam Sundaram) performed by Ranjani’s students brought out Krishna’s lament, asking his mother Yashoda, why was she so fair complexioned and he, her son, dark like the night and a mother’s response to reassure her son. Archana Gorur’s choreography of a light bollywood dance “A medley on Krishna” performed by kids dance team was joyful and high spirited. The lively dance “Vishamakara Kanan”, a composition of Ottukadu Venkata Subbaaiyer,  performed by Ranjani’s students narrated the naughtiness of Krishna as he stole butter, tricked the gopikas and playing truant pinched the cheek of his neighbor’s daughter and when she wailed …  told her that was the Mukhari Ragam! The theme of the evening … Baaje Muraliyaa was echoed in the next number “Govindan Kuzhal Kettu”, the soothing effect of Krishna’s flute on all, including the flora and fauna of the forest, a composition of Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, in Ragamalika, was performed by Ranjani Saigal’s students. In the next dance, Sabhinay Pallavi “Nachanti Range Srihari”, a choreography of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Odissi dancers Mouli Pal (Director, Upasana) and her students portrayed both Krishna and the gopikas alternating between the roles with ease and depicting each with charming facial expressions and agile footwork. An energetic and vibrant piece set to melodious Raag Arabi captured the audience’s attention. The grand finale to a devotional and joyous evening celebrating KRISHNA, was a creative endeavor by Bharatanatyam teachers, Ranjani Saigal, Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Sangita Raghunathan, Preeti Ramesh, Sujata Meyappan,and Suman Adisesh. They blended in styles and complimented each other as they came together to present Sri Madhvacharya’s composition “Devakinandana Nandakumara.” Depicting the various avataras, from Matsya to Kalki in thematic configurations, dancing with ease and expressive movements, the team brought to life the stories told of Narayana’s descent on earth to uphold dharma.

Volunteers and helpers at Chinmaya Mission welcomed the audience and served an enjoyable dinner to conclude the evening. It was a sold out show and the audience appreciated the evening’s presentation.

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