Srishti: Episode 3

SRISHTI
The dance of creation
(A dance film that depicts the story of Shiva and Parvati)

A Raadha Kalpa Production
An AIM FOR SEVA initiative

CREDITS
Direction, Choreography & Script: Rukmini Vijayakumar 
Music Composition: Dr Rajkumar Bharathi 
Music direction & Arrangement: Sai shravanam
Director of Photography: Vivian Ambrose

Audio produced at Resound India 
Editing : Vivian Ambrose & Rukmini Vijayakumar
Colour: Vivian Ambrose

MUSIC
Vocals: Keerthana Vaidyanathan & Srikanth Gopalakrishnan
Mridangam: Guru Bharadwaj
Tabla: Ganapathy S
Keyboard: Sai Shravanam
Veena: Bhavani Prasad
Flute: Navin

Camera assistants:
Sharath M
Sharath Patel

Make up/ Costume design: Rukmini Vijayakumar 

Costumes sponsored by: Sundari silks
Accommodation sponsor: Neeralaya resorts (Kullu)
Produced by: AIM FOR SEVA , USA 

DETAILS:
Srishti , means creation in Sanskrit.
Shiva is the un-manifest, all pervasive intelligence inherent in all creation and Shakti, or Parvati is the  universe, the material world and all of creation. She is also known as Prakriti . In our experience of this world, we often presume a distance between Shiva and Shakti, or Shiva and Parvathi, and see them as separate entities. We believe ourselves to be the product of a creator’s whims, and find ourselves lacking in more ways than one , without realizing that we are the whole, and that Shiva and Shakti permeate our entire being.

This philosophy of oneness is beautifully represented in the Shiva purana as a story of Shiva and Parvati. These forms of divinity are given human attributes and emotions in the Puranas, infusing them with emotions of loss, separation, love and union. The philosophy of oneness, and non-separate reality is symbolically communicated by showing the union of Shiva and Shakti through their love for one another. The presence of both is necessary for Srishti or creation. 



Chapters:

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1 Shiva is devastated when his wife Sati, a form of Shakti, leaves him by turning to fire after being insulted by her father. Overcome with rage, Shiva releases his wrath on all of creation, and heartbroken, goes into a deep meditation. 

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2 In the absence of Shakti, there is no creation and the world begins to wither away. Unable to breathe, people suffocate and die, and plants, trees, and animals suffer. The Gods plead with Shakti to come back to earth and unite with lord shiva as the universe is in turmoil. Shakti returns as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan, the lord of the mountains. 


Strolling in the forest, Parvati enjoys the beauty that exists all around her - the flowering trees, the dancing peacocks, the frolicking deer, the birds and bees. When suddenly she sees a man seated in meditation…

“Is this shiva?” She asks herself. 
“He has matted locks, an unassuming smile and ashes smeared all over his body. 
Though His eyes are closed, I feel naked. It is as though he sees everything
I am drawn to him, but am hesitant to approach him.
My heart is lost , for reasons I do not know.
Bit His name will remain on my lips....Shiva Shiva Shiva”

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3 Parvati is unable to forget shiva. Sitting in her room, she dreams of his handsome form, his wide shoulders upon which matted locks flow like lighting, his serene face and his expansive forehead. She thinks of the crescent moon that seems to be resting precariously on top of his head and imagines herself to be close to him. ‘’I truly love him’.. she thinks... 

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4 Shiva unable to forget Sati, is in a vortex of sorrow. He meditates to withdraw his senses from the world that allowed him to succumb . However, he is unable to remain with stillness as the grief of losing his beloved hangs over him like a weight that he cannot get rid of…

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5 Parvati dresses in finery and approaches Shiva as he sits in meditation, waiting for him to open his eyes and notice her. She returns everyday with fruits and flowers in the hope that he will acknowledge her presence.

Will he open his eyes, and perhaps glance my way? 
Will he ask me for my name? Ask where I am from perhaps?

He sits meditating for hours, day and night
Eyes closed, so quiet so concentrated

And I sit here weary as the minutes become hours
my eyelids heavy with anticipation and tiredness


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6 Parvati decides that finery and beauty have no place in Shivas heart. If she must win his love, she has to surpass his abilities to control the mind. She discards her jewels, and sits in meditation


“The one who plays the damaru, reveal yourself to me, 
let me see the dance of the universe oh Shiva!”  She pleads...

“Taka dina dimitaka, play your damAru and show me your true form”
As she meditates, Shiva appears....

“all I see is you”, she says
“you are present In The the sun and stars, the moon and sky, flowers and tress, birds and bees.....wind fire water earth”

“Om namah shivaya....
Everything is you.... and everything is me….”