COMPOSITIONS
Navagraha is the story of nine planets, traditionally believed to control our destiny. It is natural, therefore, to place them close to the deities in the temples. Very often, they are positioned at the entrance itself to receive the first prayers. Surya (the Sun) is known as the Adigraha and is believed to ride the seven horses while moving from east to west. He is the father planet, the creator and is regarded as the main source of everything around us. Chandra (the Moon) is an outcome of the famous Sagar Manthan and is regarded as the prime preserver and the "mother planet." Vishnu, the protector fell in love with Dharani while saving her from the clutches of Hiranakshya and from the auspicious love-knot was born the planet "Mangala" (Mars). Since then, he reigns over the greeneries on earth. Budha (Mercury) is know as the attractive seven year old child born to Chandra and the wife of Bruhaspati (Jupiter). Bruhaspati and Shukra (Venus) are supreme teachers of the gods and demons, respectively. The former stands for truth, justice and learning whereas the latter fashions love, comfort, and luxury. Sani (Saturn) is a son of the planet Surya and possesses down-to-earth qualities to stand for principles even at the cost of this leg. Rahu and Ketu represent, respectively, the surviving head and tail of a dragon cut in two pieces by Vishnu (Mohinikanya) after they consumed Amrit. Thus, each of the nine planets possesses its own history, geography, and philosophy. The dance drama Navagraha depicts this in Odissi style. The script is based on the Navagraha Stotra with the Oriya
verses rendered by none other than Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir who conceived,
choreographed, and directed the dance drama. Guru Shri Ramahari Das provided
the music, Guru Shri Dhanaeswara Swain composed the rhythms, and Guru Shri
K. Rama Rao Patra conducted the music.
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