Thirukkural Bharatam
Thirukkural Bharatham, combining South Indian Classical Dance with the wisdom of
Tamil classical literature, will be held on the 11th of September, 2005, 5 PM, at
Lestor B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Drive, Brampton.
Dance is choreographed by world renowned dancing couple V.P ans Shantha
Dhananjayan and performed by the Pathmarajah sisters, in aid of The Tamil
Children's' Endowment Fund.
Tamil Children's' Endowment Fund is a registered, not-for-profit, non-governmental
organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of the lives of the children in the
North and East of Sri Lanka. TCEF is committed to providing an opportunity for
these young children to grow, to flourish, and to develop their mind and spirit so they
may become independent, self-sustainable citizens.
Admission tickets priced at $50, $20 and $15 for students are available from Rathika
(905) 457-6786 and Arul (416) 841-1013.
The Pathmarajah sisters - Kavitha, Meera and Anjana Pathmarajah - are
exceptionally talented disciples of the world renowned dance maestros the
Dhananjayans. They have given numerous Bharatha Natyam performances in the
United States.
In this unique dance program choreographed by the Dhananjayans, the
Pathmarajah sisters will depict Thirukkurals in an animated dance drama style set in
original music. There is no doubt that the Dananjayans’ artistic brilliance combined
with the superb dancing talents of the Pathmarajah sisters will be a rare and
memorable experience to the audience.
Thirukkural Bharatham was successfully staged in Chennai, India, Los Angeles,
California, Washington DC and Yogaville, Virginia, USA.
Program Items
Provided below are English translations of the Thirukkural verses (in bold font), as
well as brief descriptions of each item.
Item 1
The program begins with a lively rendering of traditional rhythmic dance.
Item 2
“‘A’ is the first and source of all the letters. Even so is God Primordial the
first and source of all the world.”
“What use is that learning which does not lead to wisdom’s feet?”
“Long life on earth is theirs who clasp the sublime flower embedded feet.”
Item 3
“What can excel a woman who is rooted in chastity?”
“Unless the wife pursues praiseworthy purity, the husband cannot stride
before critics like a proud man.”
The greatness of a woman lies in her chastity, suggests Thiruvalluvar. In this item, a
gentleman weds a respectable and devoted woman, who allows him the joy of
walking proudly among both his friends and enemies. Her faithfulness to him raises
his reputation and makes her an admirable woman in society.
Item 4
“Those who bear children of blameless character will be untouched by evil
for seven births.”
“What pleasure it is to human beings everywhere when their children
possess knowledge surpassing their own.”
A parent who raises his or her child to be an ideal citizen benefits not only himself,
but also the entire society. This kural is exemplified in the story of Bhageeratha, who
performed penance on behalf of his ancestors in order to remove a curse placed on
them by a rishi. Bhageeratha’s intensive penance resulted in the flowing of the
Ganges River from Shiva’s head, which washed away his ancestors’ sins and
benefited all of humanity with vegetation, sea navigation, and ocean life.
Item 5
“Do not do what the wise condemn, even to save your starving mother.”
“When a mother hears her son heralded as a good and learned man, her joy
exceeds that of his joyous birth.”
Item 6
“Can love be latched and hidden? A trickling tear will proclaim it loud!”
“Love makes one affectionate towards all, and affection affords the
priceless treasure of friendship.”
This kural is demonstrated through the story of Kuchela, a timid and poor man with
barely enough money to feed his family. In a desperate attempt to seek help, he
goes to visit his dear childhood friend, Krishna. When he shamefully arrives at
Krishna’s wealthy home, he is pleasantly surprised to be so warmly and
affectionately greeted by Krishna, who is overjoyed to see his old friend. When
Krishna sees the meager bundle of food that Kuchela has hesitantly brought for him,
he snatches it from him and with each bite, blesses Kuchela with prosperity.
Item 7
“He, who having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for
others who may yet come, will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of
heaven.”
“The whole purpose of earning wealth and maintaining a home is to provide
hospitality to guest.”
This kural demonstrates an aspect of South Asian culture, in which a large emphasis
is placed on offering food and hospitality to guests. Traditionally, even before
serving food for themselves, homemakers would search outside their doorsteps for
mendicants and travelers in need of a meal. In this item, a householder entertains
her guests with food and dance, and then finds that there is no more food left for her
to eat. At that time, another guest arrives at her doorstep. Determined to satisfy the
hunger of this guest as well, she runs outside to collect grains and hastily prepares
a dish for him. Pleased by her unselfish service, the guest reveals himself as Lord
Shiva and blesses her.
Item 8
“When help is given by weighing the recipients need and not the donor’s
reward, its goodness is greater than the sea.”
“As swiftly as the hand moves to seize a slipping garment, friendship acts
to assuage a friend’s distress.”
As Thiruvalluvar teaches, we should always seek the opportunity to help others. This
item features Mother Teresa, the twentieth century saint and humanitarian, who
personified this kural through her life commitment to service and charity.
Item 9
“The wound caused by fire heals in time, but not the scar left by the
tongue.”
“Guard your tongue if nothing else; for words unguarded cause distress.”
All forms of abuse should be shunned, but even worse than injury caused by
physical abuse is the sting of harsh words. Following an enactment of feuding foes,
the dancers demonstrate the power of the spoken word and the misery that befalls
one who breaks his promise.
A story from the epic Mahabharata is implicitly embedded in this item. When
Dronaacharya, guru of the Paandavas, was a young boy, he was friends with a
prince who gave his word that he would always be there to help Dronaacharya. After
many years, when Dronaacharya needs help and seeks his friend who has become
a king, the king refuses to help him and pleads ignorant of his promise. The king
later learns his lesson on the battlefield when he is defeated by Dronaachary’s
disciple, Arjuna.
Item 10
“That noble manliness which looks not at the wife of another is the virtue
and dignity of the great.”
“Though a man deserts virtue and indulges in vice, he keeps some
decency by not wanting another’s wife’s womanliness.”
This kural warns of the disastrous consequences that will follow a man who does not
resist temptation and lustful desire. Such is the message demonstrated in the
ancient Indian epic Ramayana, where King Raavana craftily kidnaps the beautiful
Sita and this leads to his destruction by Sita’s husband Lord Rama.
Item 11
“Though unjustly aggrieved, it is best to suffer the suffering and refrain
from unrighteous retaliation.”
“Worthless are those who injure others vengefully, while those who
stoically endure are like stored gold.”
Who better exemplified this kural than Jesus Christ, who practiced and preached
that if one receives a slap on the cheek, he should turn and offer the other cheek
rather than take revenge. This item features a display of Christ’s sacrifice while
narrating Thiruvalluvar’s warning against seeking vengeance.
Item 12
“Giving to the poor is true charity; all other giving expects some return.”
“The removal of the killing hunger of the poor is the place for one to lay up
his wealth.”
Just giving for the sake of giving is not considered charity. When money is given
from the heart and given to those who are most in need, then it can be called true
charity.
Item 13
“The wealth acquired with knowledge of the proper means and without foul
practice will yield virtue and happiness.”
“For a minister to protect his king with wealth obtained by foul means is like
preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water.”
Earning money honestly through proper means and not by deceitful methods is the
message demonstrated in this item. Following a display of productive livelihoods,
including harvesters and musicians, the dancers enact those practices which are
condemned, such as stealing and gambling. Finally, the dancers portray
Thiruvalluvar’s analogy of storing wealth obtained by foul means to the futility of
preserving water in a vessel of wet clay.
Item 14
“As my lover abides in my eyes, I will not even paint them, for he would then
have to conceal himself. “
“As my lover is in my heart, I am afraid of drinking anything hot for I know it
would pain him.”
A romantic display of the love between a man and a woman exudes this item.
Item 15
The program concludes with the Thillana, an exuberant demonstration of rhythmic
movements, complex patterns and gratitude to Saint Thiruvalluvar.
