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Our real heritage is
our Divine Heritage, declared the Balvikas children from the
twin states of Maharashtra and Goa presenting a unique Musical
Offering entitled ‘Divine Heritage’ on the holy Ashadi Eve,
yesterday, 18 July evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Scripting a US based NRI family’s holyday tour
to the Western Indian State of Goa, neighbouring Maharashtra,
the musical drama presented the diverese rich cultural heritage
of this Konkan State that was under the porguese regime for
about four and a half century.
Famous for its beaches and similarity to
western civilisation, Goa often portrays a different picture in
the minds of common man. Last evening’s presentation turned out
to be an eye-opener, presenting the other side of Goan
civilisation, that is rich with many unique folk festivals and
traditions.
The influence of the Portuguese music and
dance on the local culture has helped evolve new cultural forms
and the most significant part about the dance in the state is
that it colourfully illustrates the unity in diversity of Goan
heritage. The Hindus and Christians co-exist in peace and
harmony and celebrate all festivals together. This happy
blending and co-existence of cultural traditions gives a unique
character to the music and folk dances of Goa.
The evening’s presentation revolved around
presenting some of the unique folk dances, namely, Goff, Kunbi
Dance, Virabhadra, GhodhI Modni, Musal Dance, Dhangar Dance etc.
Of the various cultural-dance presntations in the evening Goff
Dance stood apart with its unique style of presentation,
receving raptrous applause.
Goff performed in the Phalgun month during the
Shigmo Festival is a popular dance in South Goa in which
colorful cloth plaits hanging from a point in the ceiling, with
each dancer holding a plait each dances in synchrony forming a
beautiful braid; subsequently they dance in reverse only to
unravel the braid formed.
Earlier the presentation began with the legend
of Goa, that dates back to the era of Lord Parashurama. The most
famous legend associated with the State speaks about its unique
connection with Lord Parashurama (an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu), Who several thousand years ago created the entire
stretch of Konkan coast by ordering the seas to recede.
The presentation also illustrated the
uniqueness of Goan Carnival, a most important festivity in the
month of February, when Goans go in to the streets with festive
frenzy, with a mixed pack of cultural variety.
The most salient feature of the Goan Culture,
as depicted in the evening, was its unique connection with
Mother Nature. The presentation highlighted how every festivity
and traditional folk danaces blend in unique fashion adorning
Mother Nature.
The presentaton ended with introducing the
Guru, whose referecnce popped up invariably in the presentation,
as the NRI family meets up with its Goan family friends. To a
curious question by the fashionable girl, Preeti, from the US
based family, the village man replies that the Guru is None
Other Than Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!!! Bhagawan had blessed
the land with His Divine visit in the year 1970.
At the end of the presentation, even as
bhajans continued, all the participants were felicitated with
special gifts. Bhajans continued and ended with Thursday Special
in Bhagawan’s Voice.
Mangala Arathi was offered at 1820 hrs.
marking the end of the session.
Earlier in the morning, Balvikas children
along with Gurus, numbering 270, from the twin states chanted an
hour-long Vedam at the Sanctum Sanctorum before the bhajans,
commencing this year’s Ashadi festivity.
II
Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II |
