 Early Times Report
Katra, Oct 24: The captivating mega musical-theatre show series, 'Mata Ki Kahani,' orchestrated, designed, and directed by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, marked the ultimate attraction of the Navratra Festival in Katra. This extraordinary series came to a grand conclusion after sixteen spellbinding performances, enchanting audiences with its mesmerizing storytelling. The event was organized by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Directorate of Tourism Jammu.
The show series commenced on the auspicious day of the 2nd Navratra in the holy town of Katra. Each day, the brilliant artists of Natrang Jammu presented two highly professional performances, creating a rare and immersive experience for the audience. This exceptional theatrical production educates pilgrims and devotees about the complete legend of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which is often not well known to many visitors.
Balwant Thakur, the Director of Natrang, shared insights about the show's creation. It took over two years to craft this remarkable masterpiece on stage, with the collaboration of top professionals from the Bollywood film industry, talented designers, directors, music composers, choreographers, and art directors. The show has the potential to become a sought-after destination in the holy town of Katra and offer an innovative and engaging cultural experience to the millions of devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
This production represents an exceptional endeavor in Indian theatre, as it delves into one of the most popular Indian mythologies. It artfully uses traditional narratives that have resonated in the hills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi for over a thousand years.
This presentation combines music, dance, drama, and state-of-the-art visual techniques and language to unfold the entire legend of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The story of Mata Vaishno Devi is a classic narrative that has been passed down through generations in Hindu households. According to the legend, Mata Vaishno Devi was created from the collective Tejas or spiritual strength of three Goddesses: Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi, and Mata Maha Saraswati. She was born as Vaishnavi to devotees of the Goddesses and later embarked on a journey of spiritual awakening and penance in the forest. She met Lord Rama, who promised to return to her after his exile, but she failed to recognize him when he did, leading to an enduring tale of devotion and fulfillment yet to come.
The mega production involved seventy accomplished artists, performers, technicians, and designers. They collaborated to bring this cultural and spiritual epic to life.
Prominent participants in this monumental presentation included Neeraj Kant, Sunny Mujoo, Gopi Sharma, Chirag Anand, Sushant Singh Charak, and many others who played significant roles in this theatrical journey. |
