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Replicating playful Krishna
A play by school children depicting Lord Krishna playing Holi with Gopas and Gopikas on the occasion of Janmastami celebrations. Photo: K.R. Deepak
There is a tradition among the Hindus that whenever the wicked annoy and persecute the righteous, God incarnates not only to fight for them, but also save the world from destruction imminent on account of the deeds of the demons. Krishna avatar took place in the Dwapara yuga for this purpose and His birth is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The day is celebrated as Janmashtami in every nook and corner of the country and in Vizag it is celebrated on a different note.
In connection with this festival on Saturday, Samskara Bharati conducted its annual Balagokulam fancy dress competition at T.V.S. Rao Sri Krishna Vidya Mandir for children up to the age of 10 years. The children were divided into three groups sub-juniors up to three years, juniors (3-5) and seniors (5-10). Children dressed up like Venugopala, the flute player of Brindavan.
In the sub-juniors and juniors sections the competition brought forth a chuckle to all around as the rolly-polly kids with chubby cheeks and painted blue, flute in hand and the unmistakable peacock feather on the head with little silk dhotis which were threatening to fall away at any moment much to the anxiety of the parents. It was a little horde of naughty Krishnas with only the parents being able to identify their wards.
The senior Krishnas were more poised and dignified and were seen rehearsing on their sloka recitation.
The secretary of the Samskara Bharati, Rukmaji Rao, said that about 300 children participated in the fancy dress competitions. The prizes were distributed to the winners by the organisation's president, A. Bhima Rao.
Earlier, the students of Krishna Vidya Mandir from Std. VI to X depicted mythological scenes from the Bhagavatam, the Vishnupuranam etc. The four groups Sivaji, Srikrishnadevaraya, Vivekananda, C.V. Raman depicted Seshasayana and Cheri Yesoda Krishna falling on to his mother's lap while churning buttermilk, Krishnatulabharam, a scene from the Bhagavatam and Rukmini Kalyanam. The scenes were enacted with great poise. In the morning, puja and bhajan singing were held at the school premises.
The principal of Krishna Vidya Mandir, Ramchandra Raju, said: ''We have been conducting these competitions for the past 15 years to inculcate interest among students in mythology.''
At the ISKCON center in Pandurangapuram, Krishna was cavorting with his team of gopikas and the Radha Krishna pair was the pick of the draw.
Painting contest on the theme Damodar Krishna, Krishna quiz, essay writing, group dance and solo dance competitions were also conducted.
According to its convener, Samba Das, about 800 children from 40 schools participated in the competitions.
Sri Charan in Krishna quiz, Abhishek Ranjan and I. Prathyusha in junior and senior category of the painting competition bagged the first prizes. Megha and T.S. Sasikala in junior and senior category respectively were the winners in essay writing contest. Special prizes in painting were bagged by four-year-old B. Anuvitha and five-year-old V. Ajay Kumar.
The Joint Collector, M.T. Krishna Babu, distributed the prizes.
The Geeta Prachara Samithi in one town also conducted competitions in devotional songs, Gita quiz and Asthalakshmi Stotram. According to its president, Yenduri Krishnamuthi, 60 students from various schools participated. On Saturday, Laksha Tulasi puja, songs by Swarnanjali and party, lecture on the birth of Sri Krishna and various other programmes were conducted. The Bar Council of India Chairman, D.V. Subba Rao, who was the chief guest, distributed the prizes.
To sum up, Janmashtami was the time for children to exhibit their talent and indulge in fun and frolic.
PUSHPA BHARGAVA
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