Janamashtami fervour grips capital with cultural performances

Janamashtami festivities have already begun in the capital with a slew of cultural activities and events, spoiling Lord Krishna's devotees with umpteen choices.

Janmashtami, which falls on Wednesday, is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country. Devotees sing devotional songs and dance in the alleys of the land of his birth - Mathura and Vrindavan. The tales are recited and remembered in temples and households.

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's "Krishna" presentation is a well-crafted tale of the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu from his early days of youthful antics to the centre stage of human reverence.

In this thoroughly researched presentation, the audience will see varied facets of Krishna: his naughty side as that of a "maakhan chor"; his loving relationship with beloved Radha; and as someone with wisdom, dignity and infallible strength.

"Lord Krishna is seen as someone with whom everyone can associate with. From a naughty childhood to his playful adolescence days to being wise and commanding - a special connect binds him with people," said Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra director Shobha Deepak Singh.

The two-and-a-half long performance at Kamani Auditorium will run Aug 26-28, concluding on Janamashtmi Wednesday. There will be a show every day at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday. there will be additional matinee at 3 p.m.

"Lord Krishna had more human characteristics. In all the tales that have been revered, he comes across as a god who was more man-like and less god-like," Harishumna Bisht, secretary of Delhi's Hindi Academy, told IANS.

"Through our presentation we are remembering this part of Krishna," he added.

The Delhi government's Department of Art, Culture and Languages and the Hindi Academy are presenting a "Krishna" sound-and-light show tracing his.

Directed by Prem Matiyani, the two-hour long-show will be staged twice on Wednesday and once on Monday and Tuesday.

"Krishna Leela" a 15-minute dance and drama performance will re-enact Krishna's favourite pastimes, Radha and gopi's love and respect from Krishna through "Raas Leela" and finally his manifestation as Lord Krishna. It'll be on through the day on demand at in the central atrium of Saket's Select City Walk.

An epitome of friendship, Krishna's bond with his best friend Sudama is universally known. Children can participate in the fun-filled activities Aug 27 at Klub Yoyo in Greater Kailash 1. Children can participate and dress up as little 'Kanhaiyas' and beautiful 'Radhas'.

"It also includes Krishnajanm (Lord Krishna's birth), matki phod, Krishna katha where some experts will recite a story of Krishna," said an organiser.

It being a holiday, Vamini Tripathi, 35, is planning to take her five-year-old son Vihan to one of the cultural events.

"Children can easily connect with Krishna, I feel. These presentations narrate tales from his childhood days. Children enjoy them and it is easy for them to understand," she said.

"His mischievous pranks, undying friendship and his way to wisdom has a message for today's generation," she added.

--Indo-Asia News Service

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