Odissi-Rahul Acharya 4

#Rahulacharya #odissi #odissidancer

Ahe Nila Saila
Choreography by Shri Rahul Acharya

Abhinaya (Ahe Nila Saila):
This particular song "Ahe Nila Saila" is probabaly the most famous Oriya poem in praise of Lord Jagannath, written by a Muslim devotee of the Lord named Salabega. Salabega lived in the 16th century and was the son of the infamous superintendent of Auranzeb's army. Since Salabega was a Muslim he was not allowed to enter into the great temple. Thus during the annual Ratha Yatra, he would stand on one corner of the grand road (the chariot road) and sing this particular prayer.

Even within an ocean of people, gathered to witness the world famous Ratha Yatra Salabega's prayer would be distinctly heard. As a result, the Lord's chariot would stop and Jagannath would listen to his favourite devotee's rendition. Even till this day, the Lord's chariot stops for a few minutes at the exact spot where this great devotee is buried to commemorate the unparallelled devotion of this great saint.

O Lord of Nilachala, destroyer of all dangers, please destroy the quicksands of sins.Gajendra remembered You while dragged into deep waters, and You rescued him by killing the crocodile with your Chakra. The doe was in great danger inside the forest, You delivered her from that difficult situation. You listened to the prayer of Draupadi in the assembly of the Kurus, and saved her honor by providing an endless length of cloth. Prahlada’s father was a tyrant, You appeared from the pillar and tore him apart. Ravana’s brother Vibhishana took shelter in You, upholding his honor You made him the King of Lanka. The fallen Salabega says, I am a Yavana by birth, but I always sing the glories of Sri Ranga, sitting at His feet.
Raga: Arabhi
Tala: Tripata
Choroegraphy: Rahul Acharya
Music: Traditional
Rhythm: Guru Dhaneswar Swain