Students performing a dance drama at Tamil Isai Vizha in Madurai.
| Photo Credit: R. ASHOK
Students of Sivakasi “Nithyanjali” staged a debut performance of their dance drama, a thematic presentation, “Maha Kalam”(greatness of time) on the sixth day of the 52nd Tamil Isai Vizha at Rajah Muthiah Mandram.
The dance choreography was by guru Niranjana Ayyan Kodiswaran, with lyrics by Rajapalayam Rajini Petharaja, music by Uma Sekhar Srivilliputhur and play back singers included Uma, Abirami, Kamakshi, Ranjit, Abimanyu and Nellai Ravi.
The students invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesa and indicating 12-hour analog time system explained the importance of every minute. Then, eight students portrayed the significance of Agama and time with the Ashtakala pooja at Meenakshi temple, commencing from Thiruvanandal pooja to Palliyarai Pooja, when Meenakshi is worshipped as Bala, Bhuvaneswari, Shyamala, Mathangi, Pancha Dasakshi and Shodasam.
The story of Upamanyu, using the imagery of time to illustrate the eternal, repetitive nature, his Guru Dhaumya’s Aśvinikumars blessings saving him from eating arka leaves, was very well portrayed.
They went on to explain through dance the Pura/Sthula representing the outer visible realm and Sukshma, inner realm. They explained in detail the importance of Shashtiaptha poorthi indicating it as wake-up call to loose ourself to find ourself.
The students then portrayed about Siddharta, explaining Horai and Samhita, the foundational pillar of Jyotisha. Sage Ramana Maharshi, who taught that time is an illusion created entirely by the mind, was the students next choice (which witnessed some good foot work).
They also performed Markandeya story (who conquered time and death through his supreme devotion to Lord Shiva with the profound act of devotion), Urmila Nidra, (to enable Lakshmana to guard Lord Rama with the help of Nitra Devi).
The 8 verses of saint Adi Shankaracharya praising Lord Kalabhairava, signifying that time consumes all things, made audience to introspect about time.
They concluded with Kararavindena Padaravindam from Sri Bala Mukundashtakam.
The dance drama made the audience think about how electronic gadgets and laziness consumes our time from doing good things.
Published – October 06, 2026 06:46 pm IST
