The feature Panchavaktram, the five faces of Shiva, touches on the belief that Lord Shiva, in order to create this universe from the original state of nothingness, manifests into five forms. In association with Shakthi, he creates the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. The Lord lets the sound from his drums fuse the elements which explode to form this universe and all the life forces that exist today.
The sound of Mantras or holy syllables, associated with each manifestation, reverberates across the hall and puts the audience into a state of holy trance. A Tantrik visual image that symbolizes the five manifestations engrosses the audience into a meditative stupor.
Artists performing the roles of Shiva and Shakthi are highly proficient in the respective art forms used to translate the essence of each manifestation. The highlight of the show will be the depiction of the energy of the elements by five visually challenged dancers.
Admission: $10 adults and $5 children and students
Snacks and drinks available in the Banquet Hall
For artists’ information: visit www.articulateindia.com
For directions to the Temple: visit www.hinduheritage.org
For reservations: email prakashbabu@hinduheritage.org
PANCHAVAKTRAM-Program
1. POORVARANGA
In this sanctification ceremony the actors bring the flag staff Jharjara and invoke the presence of the Gods of eight cardinal directions. The artists pray to the Gods for the success of the play. They also pray for the prosperity of the organizer, the writer and the producer. The actors then open the play for the enjoyment of the spectators.
2. UDBHAVA
In the beginning there was void. Nothingness existed. And within this nothingness was confined a great power. Sadashiva, the formless and eternal One, manifests as Pancha Bramha the five faced one to create the universe.
3. SADYOJATA- Dance of Shiva with His Para Shakthi
As the first manifestation of Shiva, Sadyojata,emerges in the east, white as camphor, and presides over the three cornered sacrificial altar. The dark rain bearing clouds are his chariots, and he brings into form the element Earth. The dance is set in Bharathnatyam. PRUTHVI TATHVA-Dance of the Earth Element
4. VAMADEVA - Dance of Shiva with His Adi Shakthi
As the second manifestation of Shiva Vamadeva emerges in the south, red as a vermillion and presides over the four cornered sacrificial altar. The lotus flower is his throne. He brings into form the element Water. The dance is set in Kuchipudi. JALA TATHVA-Dance of the Water Element
5. AGHORA -Dance of Shiva with His Iccha Shakthi
As the third manifestation of Shiva Aghora emerges in the west,, green in color, and presides over the circular sacrificial altar. He brings into form the element fire. The dance is set in Yakshagana.
AGNI TATHVA-Dance of the Fire Element
6. TATHPURUSHA- Dance of Shiva with His Kriya Shakthi
As the fourth manifestation of Shiva, Tathpurusha emerges in the north, yellow in color, enjoined by his power Kriya Shakthi, he presides over the six sided sacrificial altar. He brings into form the element Air. The dance is set in Kathak. VAYU TATHVA-Dance of the Air Element
7. ISHANA -Dance of Shiva with His Gnana Shakthi
As the fifth manifestation of Shiva Ishana emerges toward the sky, serene, blue in color, enjoined by his power Gnana Shakthi, he presides over the eight sided sacrificial altar. He brings into form the element Space. The dance is set in Perini style. AKASHA TATHVA-Dance of the Space Element
8. ARDHANAREESHWARA
After creating the five elements, the building blocks of the universe, Shiva and Shakthi become one, each merging half of themselves into the other and become Ardhanareeshwara (half man-half woman). Shiva-Shakthi then plays the Damaru, hand held Kettle drum, and sends the sound waves across the emptiness. The dance is performed in the art of Bahuroopiyas.
9. An Obeisance to Shiva :Through exuberant foot work and cadence of the ankle bells that weave an audio imagery, the elements offer obeisance to the Lord.
Artists:
The Visually Challenged Dancers as the elements: Buse Gowda, Guru Prasadh,Tharaka Ramudu, Satish Gujjar, Shiva Swamy
As shiva and shakthi: Nishant Aravindakshan, Nandana Nagaraju, Prakash Naidu,
Josephine Savita ,Suryanarayana Rao,Suparna Venkatesh, Mysore B Nagaraj
Stage craft: Nishant Aravindakshan, Technical: Suryanarayana Rao. Music: Praveen D Rao and Shankar Shanbhogue, Vocal: Shankar Shanbhogue, Costume, Coiffeurs and accessories: Shakthi R Shetty, Choreography for the visually challenged: Savita, Surya and Nagaraj, Concept, research and artistic direction Mysore B Nagaraj
Texts are from Shaiva Agamas and Sri Adi Shankaracharya’ hymns.
