Mazaala Chai: Surya 108: The Sun that never Set!

I had the opportunity of watching 'Surya 108', a spectacular Light and Sound Drama presented by the members of the All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra ( AICHyK) at Palakkad on Saturday, 11^th Aug '12.

The 2 hour production was a multi-sensory treat with a tight script, compelling soundtrack, energetic performers, resplendent costumes and scintillating choreography. The theme of the show was Surya: the belief, the symbolism, the legend, the tradition and the manifestations of the sun.

The show commenced with Surya Namaskaar where the dancers wnet through the 12 yogic poses of the very potent exercise in benediction to the sun. Surya Namaskaar also pays homage to Brahman, and reflects the 24 hour span, the 12 rashis as well as the balance between the mind and the body. Not to mention that the exercise fortifies the limbs and stimulates the spirit, unleashing creative energy in the practitioner.

Enter the characters: Arun dev ( has a Bachelor's in Dance, a Master's in Mind Management and a Ph.D in Life), the coach and teacher. He is accompanied by his eight students: Gaya ( never stops asking questions), Ushnik ( “ Just call me Nick”, striking, stylish... and doesn't he know it!!) , Brihat ( has the strength to seek the sun), Anup ( Walking Encyclopedia; he has to know everything), Jagati ( Traditional Girl from a super traditional family), Pankti ( talented, creative, but doesn't seem to believe it), Trishtup ( His head weighs more than him) and Chhaya ( Tour Operator between the past, present and future). Incidentally, the names of the characters are the same as those of the seven green horses that steer the Arka charriot of the sun; the seven horses also representing the seven days of the week.

The tour operator takes the team back in time, where they behold the Rajarishi Vishwamitra in engaged in deep meditation. Vishwamitra is the epitome of bravery, intellect and penance. True to his name, he is compassionate and considerate to the whole world ( Vishwa = world; mitra= friend). Through his intense japa, he invokes the potent Gayatri mantra, the dispeller of ignorance and darkness. Composed using the first words of four vedas, the Gayatri mantra invokes the inherent Truth in the seeker. The play blends this knowledge with humour as the audience gets to see impulsive Ushnik following the 5 senses, to be saved in time by Vishwamitra's disciples who administer the Gayatri Mantra to him, thereby restoring him to his friends. In the meantime, they also entrust him with the task of collecting 108 coins, much to his trepidation!

Chaya takes the team to the story of Hanuman- the symbol of dedication, strength and perseverance, . The son of Marut the wind God, Maruti- as Hanuman is also alluded to- was a favourite of the Gods. When Indra struck him down with the thunderbolt as little Hanuman leapt to swallow the Sun- mistaking it for a fruit-, Marut stopped blowing in protest, stalling all life processes in the three worlds. Indra relents at this. Grown-up Hanuman astounds the Sun God yet again when, in his thirst for knowledge requests the Sun God to be his Guru. Since it was not possible for the Sun God to remain stationary and teach Hanuman, the latter moves with Surya in reverse synchronisation, learning the entire lessons with devotion. Through this episode, Hanuman's endurance, perseverance and resourcefulness get revealed.

Sage Agastya's Aditya-hridaya is a chant that strengthens one to face the battle

of life intelligently. The power of the Aditya hridaya was brilliantly captured in the legend of Prince Ram who, bewildered at the demoic splendour of his foe Ravana, is advised by sage Agasyta to invoke the Aditya Hridaya to enable him to strike down the demon. The Aditya Hridaya reinforces man's belief in his own abilities and prepares him to face challenges in the battlefield of the world.

Nick gets punished for being late for practice, by impositioning on him the task of writing the Gayathri Mantra ( Likhita Japa) 108 times. Even when his friends offer to help him by sharing his assignment, the teacher apportions 54 times of the work to Nick and the remaining 54 to his friends! The inquisitive Anuop wants to know the science of 108. Chhaya takes the team back in time to sage Yagnavalkya, son of Viswamitra.

Sage Yagnavalkya, the original astrologer, mathematically proves that the circumfereces of a 108 suns would equal the distance from the earth to the sun. It was easy to visualise the distance from earth to sun as a string upon which 108 beads (each representing the sun) was strung. The 'string theory' holds good for the distance between the earth and the moon as well! Also, the diameter of the sun is 108 times that of the earth.

Cutting back to the present, the coach reminds the team that they need more synchronisation in performance; by pointing out that they are one, not eight ( pun on the word 'not' intended!) . The perils of Global Warming also is brought out when the team travels into the future 2108 when the major cities of the world get submerged. The team is also accosted by a future earthling in UV- protection gear who snatches the bottle of 'fresh H₂O' from Pankti at gunpoint! The virtues of sustainable technology as a guide for human welfare is narrated at this point.

Chhaya points out other cultures where the Sun God is worshipped: as Amaterasu in Japanese Shinto mythology and as 'Ra' in Egyptian legends.

These episodes were revealed in a very unique choreography of Japanese and Egyptian styles. The Indian example of the Jantar Mantar, the earliest celestial observatory built by king Sawai Jaisingh in 1734 in Jaipur.

Arun instructs his students to learn more about the sun in other culltures. ( After 'consulting' the audience, the students one by one realise that the sun is worshipped as Helios by the Greeks, 'Sol' by the Europeans ( Summer 'Sol'istic, you see) 'Inti' by the Incas, 'Mitra' by the Persian Zoroasthrians and 'Huitilopochtli' the War God by the Aztecs. By now the entire team is enlightened by their knowledge of the sun. The coach Arun leaves them, after handing over the reins to his promising student Brihat.

Brihat takes Ushnik to the epic of Karna, the sun of the Sun God who demonstrates selflessness and bravery by handing over his iconic armour to lord Indra.

The traditional 'Sun festivals' of India: Kite flying in Maharashtra and Gujarat during 'Makar Sankranthi', Lohri in Punjab during Pousha ( maga) month and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. This episode was the grand finale of the show with vibrant performers and foot-tapping music.

In retrospect, 'Surya 108' was indeed illuminating: the insightful concept and innovative portrayal spoke volumes of back-stage planning and execution. The simple yet evocative backdrops, the crystal clear sound-recording and the synchronised lighting were proof of the technical precision of the team. Members of the Chennai ChyK led by Mr Kartheesan sparkled throughout the show with their professional performances. Palakkad ChyK team lived up to their reputation for vibrancy and histrionics onstage and efficient management offstage.

It was delightful catching up with the Chinmaya Young'uns after the show: Veeraj, Sumithra, many of the performers and organisers from Palakkad, RISHIJI, Sandeep, Sanoop, Vimal, Shrikanth... it was a great homecoming of sorts. The ride with Swami Viviktanandaji was also a soothing one- Swamiji exuded so much of warmth and compassion in every sentence He uttered.