Ayyappan 5 – The Desire To Choreograph In Dance

As years went by,
There kindled in me,
The desire to choreograph,
The life and story of Ayyappan in dance.

I met Malini, a noble lady,
Well-versed in Hindu literature and Puranas.
I requested her to write verses for me in Malayalam,
Which would befit the portrayal in Mohiniattam style,
The life story of Sri Ayyappan!

Malini kindly consented.
I was amazed when Malini wrote it in four days time.
But it took me four years to present it on stage.
With the help of music choreography by
The fine Karnatic musician – Ganesh,
My work of dance choreography was complete.

I presented my first solo performance of
‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’ in Bombay,
Sponsored by Smt Savithri Nair, my own mother,
On the first day of the Mandala month, November 18th,1983.

My prayer to dance,
‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’
Eighteen times, like climbing the
Eighteen holy steps of
Sabarimala was answered.
I performed my eighteenth recital
On January 6th,1991 in Mumbai.

Just when I thought my journey was complete,
I got an invitation to perform
The story and dance of
‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’
Once again!

I was thrilled
Because my 19th performance of
‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’ was
In Zurich, Switzerland.
That was not all.
I had an amazing set of audience.

Before each dance sequence,
I explained to the audience
The significance of Mudras and
The story of Ayyappan!
They sat in rapt attendance,
Listening to the story.
The swiss audience was thrilled
When I danced the story of Ayyappan.
Before every dance sequence,
I explained in English with gestures.
The audience understood every gesture and
The meaning of what I was performing.

It was an enthralling recital
That lasted four hours.
The hall was full and packed.
The organisers allowed more people in.
They sat all over the place
On the staircase, balconies, in all corners
Just in front of the stage too!

Looking back,
I think, it was my best solo performance of
‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’
To a fantastic set of dance lovers.

My reward came,
When a few in the audience
Decided to make a pilgrimage to the Sabari hills in Kerala!