Huddled in our Studio with the pouring rain outside, Sutra Foundation had one of its most ‘atmospheric’ and magical Vijayadasamis, to date.
The Vijayadasami, that ended the Navarathri, was a celebration to conclude a 9-day, for some, fasting and discipline of conquering the inner & outer demons.
Traditionally, during Navarathri, Sutra performs as Seva to the community, in many temples around the Klang valley, at times right to Klang town, itself. Importantly, Vijayadasami is a night of paying homage to the personification of Knowledge, in the form of the Guru.
Sutra students brought the traditional paraphernalia of dance, fruits and sweets as offerings to be blessed for another year of creativity and hardwork.
All the teachers of Sutra were present to conduct this once a year ‘Renewal’ of our dance vows. After all, only by the blessing of Knowledge dispensed by the Guru (the Dispeller of Ignorance), can a student achieve and be granted realisation of purpose. Only then can the body, mind and spirit attain liberation.
Admidst puja, dance, live bhajans sung by the dancers themselves intensified by wafting incense and puja smoke, (and later delicious food), Sutra dancers performed, renewing their resolve to give the best of themselves to the highest principles that eventually reside within.
This ‘jihad’ has to take place within their Heart of hearts. Pujas and dances became oral, aural and visual offerings and the manifestation of what were also taking place within the devotee/dancer’s heart in this process of ‘cleansing’. Dance afterall is ‘Metaphor’.
We dancers are fortunately able to achieve ‘liberation’ through the power of suggestion!
Sutra.