Kathakanjali 2023: Yashodhara: who am I?
Opening Welcome anchoring1:
Namashkar and a very Good evening to you all!
I am Tavisi Sharma, former student of DKArts, warmly welcome everyone to Kathakanjali 2023, the annual concert of DanceKarishma.
DanceKarishma, or DK Arts, was established/conceptualized in 2003 and this year, on Jan 3rd, proudly completed 20 years of existence in Bay Area, with equal zeal and enthusiasm, year after year.
(Jan 3rd of this year we proudly celebrated 20 years full of dancing, competing, blah balah)
During these 20 years, we achieved many milestones. We started with Festival driven performances, won prestigious Dance competitions, got affiliated with Akhil (a kill) Bharteey (bartia) Gandharva (gun dharv) Mahavidyalaya (maha vidya leh) (or ABG Mandal) for Kathak exams from Pra-ram-bhik till Vi-sha-rad , and last but not least having annual concerts showcasing the talent of our team, the family of DKArts, where students thrive to cultivate the Indian cultural values through Kathak under supervision and guidance of Guru Jaya Sharma ji.
Without further adue , let’s go over some House rules. Please do not do Flash Photography, please maintain silence and do not walk in or out of the auditorium during the performances.
Kathakanjali 2023 is titled: Yashodhara- who am I? Lets watch Yashodhara, find herself through this musical Dance-Drama. I would be your host tonight narrating story of Yashodhara…
Let’s take you to 560 BC, its province/state of Lumbini (loom bini), now in Nepal. In the Royal palace of King Suppabuddha, and Queen Amita. Today is Ganesh (Gha -ney -sh) -Chaturthi (Cha- thur- thi) and Queen Amita is looking for little girl Yashodhara .
I am Tavisi Sharma, former student of DKArts, warmly welcome everyone to Kathakanjali 2023, the annual concert of DanceKarishma.
DanceKarishma, or DK Arts, was established/conceptualized in 2003 and this year, on Jan 3rd, proudly completed 20 years of existence in Bay Area, with equal zeal and enthusiasm, year after year.
(Jan 3rd of this year we proudly celebrated 20 years full of dancing, competing, blah balah)
During these 20 years, we achieved many milestones. We started with Festival driven performances, won prestigious Dance competitions, got affiliated with Akhil (a kill) Bharteey (bartia) Gandharva (gun dharv) Mahavidyalaya (maha vidya leh) (or ABG Mandal) for Kathak exams from Pra-ram-bhik till Vi-sha-rad , and last but not least having annual concerts showcasing the talent of our team, the family of DKArts, where students thrive to cultivate the Indian cultural values through Kathak under supervision and guidance of Guru Jaya Sharma ji.
Without further adue , let’s go over some House rules. Please do not do Flash Photography, please maintain silence and do not walk in or out of the auditorium during the performances.
Kathakanjali 2023 is titled: Yashodhara- who am I? Lets watch Yashodhara, find herself through this musical Dance-Drama. I would be your host tonight narrating story of Yashodhara…
Let’s take you to 560 BC, its province/state of Lumbini (loom bini), now in Nepal. In the Royal palace of King Suppabuddha, and Queen Amita. Today is Ganesh (Gha -ney -sh) -Chaturthi (Cha- thur- thi) and Queen Amita is looking for little girl Yashodhara .
Drama Scene1:
Amita: Yashodhara! Yashodhara! where are you?
<Yashodhara comes running... >
Yashodhara: yes MA, I was playing with bow and arrow, what happened?
Amita: Are you ready? We need to go to temple dear. To attend puja and Arti for Ganesh Chaturthi...Lets go...
<Yashodhara comes running... >
Yashodhara: yes MA, I was playing with bow and arrow, what happened?
Amita: Are you ready? We need to go to temple dear. To attend puja and Arti for Ganesh Chaturthi...Lets go...
<Ganesh Stuti>
Drama Scene2: <Yasho + Amita> returning from temple...
Amita: Ganesh ji is Vighna Harta... We should always pray to him before we begin anything. Yashodhara: yes Ma, that Ganesh-Stuti was so divine....< 2 secs pause>
Ma! what is happening there?
Amita: Thats a wedding procession..and those girls are performing a festive dance.
Yashodhara: Can I watch those girls?
Amita: sure
Ma! what is happening there?
Amita: Thats a wedding procession..and those girls are performing a festive dance.
Yashodhara: Can I watch those girls?
Amita: sure
<Shohag Chaand>
anchoring2:
Yashodhara at this early age, started showing her interests towards music, specially dance. Sensing her talents, King and queen took her to Guru-kul (guru - kool) where she started her journey of learning classical Dance of India ....
While Yashodhara, the chulbuli, girl, full of life, was focusing on her studies, and learning different skils, such as music, dance and archery...on the other part of the same Lumbini (loom bini) province, in city of Kapilvastu, in another royal family, was a boy, named Gautam. Guatam was born on the exact same day as Yashodhara, and was also studying, learning archery and other mandatory skills a prince must know. He was a calm and collected boy, full of questions on the human experience: why are humans born? why do they have to go through so many sufferings ? etc...
Now back to Yashodhara...Lets take you to her Gurukul (guru - kool) and see how Taal, Laya influences Yashodhara and her Guru-bahan's (bay - hens) lives.
First, She learns how to even stand as a dancer, how to walk on laya or rhythm through various gats (guts):
While Yashodhara, the chulbuli, girl, full of life, was focusing on her studies, and learning different skils, such as music, dance and archery...on the other part of the same Lumbini (loom bini) province, in city of Kapilvastu, in another royal family, was a boy, named Gautam. Guatam was born on the exact same day as Yashodhara, and was also studying, learning archery and other mandatory skills a prince must know. He was a calm and collected boy, full of questions on the human experience: why are humans born? why do they have to go through so many sufferings ? etc...
Now back to Yashodhara...Lets take you to her Gurukul (guru - kool) and see how Taal, Laya influences Yashodhara and her Guru-bahan's (bay - hens) lives.
First, She learns how to even stand as a dancer, how to walk on laya or rhythm through various gats (guts):
<Gat Nikas>
Anchoring3:
She learns the most important aspect of a Taal called SAM (SUM). Let's watch a Shud-dha Nritt presentation of 10 Matra taal cycle, called Jhaptaal.
<Jhaptaal>
Anchoring4:
While she learns various taals, as always King of all Taal: Teentaal of 16 Matra taal cycle, leaves a deep impression on her mind:
<Teentaal>
Drama Scene3: <Palace inside scene>
Queen: My Yashodhara, is returning from Gurukul tomorrow. I have asked to decorate the palace with her favorite rose and Jasmin flowers. Her favorite food will be prepared. Its been ages since I saw my dearest daughter...Oh I can't wait to see her...I had always told you, not to send her far from me.. now I will keep her close to me... My dear Yash, why moon is not moving fast? Can't wait to see tomorrow mornings Sun...
King: <with laughter> ha ha ha... I can understand your feelings. I am also in same state of mind, just can't express....
<King becomes serious>
Queen: Why are you serious?
King: Yashodhara will be turning 16 soon. We have to arrange for her Swamwar.
I will request my cousin, Kapilvastu King Suddhodana, to come with his son Gautam as well.
Queen: Gautam..<thinks> you mean Siddharth?, such a good boy... always calm and well behaved. never seen him talking loudly or fighting with anyone. Our Yadhodhara will be very happy with him.
King: Laughs again: But he has to win in Swamwar... we can only wish, Afterall it will be Yasho's choice.
King: <with laughter> ha ha ha... I can understand your feelings. I am also in same state of mind, just can't express....
<King becomes serious>
Queen: Why are you serious?
King: Yashodhara will be turning 16 soon. We have to arrange for her Swamwar.
I will request my cousin, Kapilvastu King Suddhodana, to come with his son Gautam as well.
Queen: Gautam..<thinks> you mean Siddharth?, such a good boy... always calm and well behaved. never seen him talking loudly or fighting with anyone. Our Yadhodhara will be very happy with him.
King: Laughs again: But he has to win in Swamwar... we can only wish, Afterall it will be Yasho's choice.
Anchoring5:
King arranges Swamwar (Swa- yum- were), for Yashodhara (as you might know, opportunity to a girl to select her life-partner through a ceremony). Knowing that she was excellent at archery, it was an archery challenge to find a great match for her. And guess what her childhood friend, her cousin, Gautam or Siddharth wins the challenge.
Wedding date gets fixed.... Yashodhara was really happy. and so were her friends... but they did not miss any chance of teasing her...< laughs>
Wedding date gets fixed.... Yashodhara was really happy. and so were her friends... but they did not miss any chance of teasing her...< laughs>
<Ghore pe Sawar>
Anchoring6:
Wedding day has arrived. Yashodhara, full of dreams of her marriage, goes to pray to Lord Shiva.
<Nataraja>
Anchoring7:
With lots of fun, happiness, blessings, gifts, Princess Yashodhara gets wed to her heart throb Gautam and enters the Palace in Kapilvastu, her Sasural, full of dreams...Happiness was everywhere... She gets a grand welcome
<Hadwe hadwe chalo>
Anchoring 8:
Life at Kapilvastu was as satisfying as the childhood. Queen Maya, loved Yashodhara just like her daughter... Yashodhara continued regular practice of Nrit-ya-kala as well as archery...
<Shudha Nritya : Jaya>
Anchoring9:
Time passed by. Year after year... Siddharth started going out to town more often to help the nee-dies... and always used to get shaken by the poverty, hunger and fights... and always tried to help everyone. Yashodhara's love for Siddharth was getting deeper and deeper by seeing his kindness towards everyone.... She was Thankful to God for everything she had in life...While Siddhardha used to be out, Yadhodhara spent many days and nights waiting for her love to be back home...She had everything possibly someone can wish for, beautiful Royal family, supporting parents, in-laws, jewels and what not...But something was different than her dreams... not quite sure what...
<Piya Tose Naina Lagi Re>
Anchoring 10:
From the day of Wedding a good 13 years passed by...Palace was once again full of happiness... Sweets were getting distributed... gifts were coming from everywhere... Prince RAhul was born as son of Yashodhara and Siddharadh... Life was about to take a new turn... New dreams. New wishes, New phase of life was about to begin....
Whole day and night people kept coming to offer their blessings to Prince Rahul... Yashodhara was eventually very tired after such an eventful day...Among all these moments she found Sidharth lost in his thoughts multiple times... She asked the reason... but he refused to say anything... Yashodhara knew Sidhardha was a quiet person... After all, becoming father is not a small thing... Must be thinking about how to raise our son...
Finally, Yashodhara was able to get some quiet time and dosed off... with Dreams of new beginning....
Whole day and night people kept coming to offer their blessings to Prince Rahul... Yashodhara was eventually very tired after such an eventful day...Among all these moments she found Sidharth lost in his thoughts multiple times... She asked the reason... but he refused to say anything... Yashodhara knew Sidhardha was a quiet person... After all, becoming father is not a small thing... Must be thinking about how to raise our son...
Finally, Yashodhara was able to get some quiet time and dosed off... with Dreams of new beginning....
Drama Scene4: <Yashodhara dreams of a Hori scene, spot light on her>
Friends: Yashodhara? Where are you? Today is Hori..Come out please...What are you doing?
Yashodhara: Dressing my son like Kanahiya...Chota sa Bal Gopal...
Friends: Looks like Makhan Chor Krishna Kanhayee is here...Nazar Na lage...
Friends: Hamere Krishna Kanhayee is so cute... very soon will win heart of all Gopikas
<laughter>
Yashodhara: Dressing my son like Kanahiya...Chota sa Bal Gopal...
Friends: Looks like Makhan Chor Krishna Kanhayee is here...Nazar Na lage...
Friends: Hamere Krishna Kanhayee is so cute... very soon will win heart of all Gopikas
<laughter>
<Hori: Rang Dalungi>
<Yashodhara comes back to same position as before, spot light on her, wakes up and walks away>
Drama Scene5:
Queen Maya: Yash Yash, Have you seen Gautam anywhere?
Yashodhara; Ma, he was in palace only. Might have gone out to visit the town...
Queen Maya: Ye Gautam bhi na... Bina Bataye hi chala jata hai... Are abhi abhi beta huya hai, Thora wakt to bitaye Pariwar ke saath....
Yashodhara: <thinks for 2 sec> aa jayenge Ma
Yashodhara; Ma, he was in palace only. Might have gone out to visit the town...
Queen Maya: Ye Gautam bhi na... Bina Bataye hi chala jata hai... Are abhi abhi beta huya hai, Thora wakt to bitaye Pariwar ke saath....
Yashodhara: <thinks for 2 sec> aa jayenge Ma
Anchoring 11:
Days passed by... Months passed by... Years passed by... But Gautam aka, Siddharth did not return home.... News were spreading on him visiting places after places in search of Peace..... His preaching were spreading around....His search for Peace was on...
<Khandita Naika: Jaya>
Anchoring 12:
Over the next six years Siddhartha wandered from place to place, in search of the mystery of life and death. He sat under a peepal (people) tree in Bodh Gaya (Baudh gay-a) and began to meditate. After many days of meditation he attained enlightenment and came to be known as Buddha (Boo -DHA) or the 'Enlightened One'. People started following him.
<Budham Sharam Gachchami song 2 lines>
Drama Scene 6:
Rahul: Ma, Ma Mere Mitra ke paas ek naya Khilona hai...
Yashodhara : wo kya?
Rahul: His father made a wooden Rocking Horse for him to ride..It's so cool... He is so lucky...
Yashodhara: <Laughs> So you also want a wooden Horse?
Rahul: No No..
Yashodhara: Sorry Wooden Rocking Horse. Right?
Rahul: No Ma... I want my father, not the Horse...
< Rahul Leaves the room, leaving Yashodhara speechless>
Yashodhara : wo kya?
Rahul: His father made a wooden Rocking Horse for him to ride..It's so cool... He is so lucky...
Yashodhara: <Laughs> So you also want a wooden Horse?
Rahul: No No..
Yashodhara: Sorry Wooden Rocking Horse. Right?
Rahul: No Ma... I want my father, not the Horse...
< Rahul Leaves the room, leaving Yashodhara speechless>
<Budham Sharam Gachchami song 2 lines>
<Phero Na Nazar: Jaya + group>
< Buddham Sharanam Gachhami song 2 lines>
Anchoring 13:
6 more years passed by... Messengers brought the news that Gautam, who has now attained name Buddha (Boo -DHA) is returning to Kapilvastu.. His father Śuddhodana promises Yashodhara that he will bring Buddha back home this time. That moment of joy can not be expressed in words..Yashodhara was dancing in the rain like peacock...
<Garaj Garaj: Jaya>
Drama Scene 7:
Buddha: Bhiksham Dehi, Bhiksham Dehi
Yashodhara: Andar Nahi aayoge?
Buddha: Mai ek Bhikshu hoon, sirf Bhiksha lene aaya hoon..
Yashodharana: Bhiksha ke badle, Agar mai kuchha mangu to kya de sakoge?
Buddha: Agar Bhikshu ki Maryada me hoga to Nishchay hi doonga...
Yashodhara:
Kuchh Varshon se dhoond rahi hoon Parichay Apna... Mera Parichay Lauta do..
Dhan Vaibhav, se ghar bhara hai, par antarman khali hai...mera wo abhiman lauta do..
Rahul ke sawalon se man chhalani-chhalani sa hai... ek putra se uska pita mila do...
Bahut naam hai Na Tumhara... Us naam me mera sthan to batla do?
Kayi sawalo ka bawandar udhta hai man me, kewal ek ka hi jawab dila do,
jo kuchh paya tumne, beghar ho ke, hamse door ho ke, kya ghar se na milta wo?
Swam se jyada pyar tha tumse, sab kuchh de deti mangte jo,
kya itna wishwas bhi nahi tha? jo bin bataye chale gaye , aadhi raat ko?
12 sallon me aasunyo ka hi sirf kar saki Sanchay,
bhool gayi hoon khudko, punah kara do mujhse mera Parichay!
Budhha:
Ghar se jana aawashyak nahi tha...... Manta hoon is baat ko.
Nishchay hi doshi hoon Tumhara.... jo dand chaho de do...
Tum bin nahi Saarthak hota...... jeewan ka uddeshya mera...
yadi De sako....... is Bhikshuk ko....... to kshama ki Bhiksha do, Yashodhara!!
Yashodhara: Andar Nahi aayoge?
Buddha: Mai ek Bhikshu hoon, sirf Bhiksha lene aaya hoon..
Yashodharana: Bhiksha ke badle, Agar mai kuchha mangu to kya de sakoge?
Buddha: Agar Bhikshu ki Maryada me hoga to Nishchay hi doonga...
Yashodhara:
Kuchh Varshon se dhoond rahi hoon Parichay Apna... Mera Parichay Lauta do..
Dhan Vaibhav, se ghar bhara hai, par antarman khali hai...mera wo abhiman lauta do..
Rahul ke sawalon se man chhalani-chhalani sa hai... ek putra se uska pita mila do...
Bahut naam hai Na Tumhara... Us naam me mera sthan to batla do?
Kayi sawalo ka bawandar udhta hai man me, kewal ek ka hi jawab dila do,
jo kuchh paya tumne, beghar ho ke, hamse door ho ke, kya ghar se na milta wo?
Swam se jyada pyar tha tumse, sab kuchh de deti mangte jo,
kya itna wishwas bhi nahi tha? jo bin bataye chale gaye , aadhi raat ko?
12 sallon me aasunyo ka hi sirf kar saki Sanchay,
bhool gayi hoon khudko, punah kara do mujhse mera Parichay!
Budhha:
Ghar se jana aawashyak nahi tha...... Manta hoon is baat ko.
Nishchay hi doshi hoon Tumhara.... jo dand chaho de do...
Tum bin nahi Saarthak hota...... jeewan ka uddeshya mera...
yadi De sako....... is Bhikshuk ko....... to kshama ki Bhiksha do, Yashodhara!!