Research Park Auditorium
15th December 2023
06:30 - 08:00 PM
Due to a medical emergency with the lead dancer of 'Jatayu Moksham', this evening Kalakshetra will be performing 'Paduka Pattabhishekam' instead. This is also an episode from the Ramayana.
SYNOPSIS
SCENE1
Bharata and Shatrugna return to Ayodhya. They have come
summoned by their Guru Vasishta. They make their way to Kaikeyi’s
residence and Bharata asks his mother the reason for the city’s
desolate condition. She tells them that their father Dasaratha is dead.
Bharatha is overcome by grief and Kaikeyi comforts him saying that
Rama has been banished for fourteen years and that Bharata is to be
King in his place.
Bharata is furious and disgusted with his mother. He decides to
go to the forest to bring Rama back to Ayodhya. He tells the minister
of his decision and sets out with Shatrughna.
SCENE 2
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita arrive at the banks of the River
Ganga. Guha, a tribal chief, welcomes them and is distressed to hear
their story.
He bids them rest and promises to ferry them across the Ganga
the following day.
Rama and Lakshmana prepare themselves for forest life the next
morning. Along with Sita, they complete their morning worship and
cross the Ganga with Guha’s help.
Soon after their departure the grief-struck Bharata arrives.
Guha is at first suspicious of Bharata’s motives. When the
circumstances are explained to him, he is moved by Bharata’s nobility
and shows him the route taken by Rama.
SCENE 3
On the mountain of Chitrakuta Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are in
their ashrama. Suddenly they are disturbed by the sound of an
approaching army.
Lakshmana who rushes out to investigate sees the approach of
Bharata and views him with suspicion and anger. Rama pacifies
Lakshmana, and the four brothers meet in joy mingled with sorrow.
Rama is overcome with grief to hear of his father’s death.
Bharata entreats Rama to return to Ayodhya and to be King.
Rama refuses to break his promise. Finding him adamant
Bharata requests Rama to give him his sandals which could represent
him as King of Ayodhya until his return.
In the presence of Vasishta the sandals are enthroned and the
Paduka Pattabhishekam takes place.
