Mount Madonna School's Ramayana-6-11-07

[Guest guest]

Mount Madonna School Presents: Ramayana

Friday, June 08, 2007 At 08:00 AM

Duration: All Day

Repeat Event: Every Day until June 11, 2007

Mount Madonna School

Mount Madonna School

Watsonville, California, USA

Click here for images of Last Year's Performance: http://www.mountmadonnaschool.org/mms/performing/ramayana.htm

"Mount Madonna School's Ramayana, the best school pageant ever. BUT, the reality goes far beyond. Yes, indeed, all actors are students at the school from preschool to seniors, but the quality of the production raises it to the level of true art."

 

–Paul Myrvold

Entertainment Editor, Out & About Magazine

http://www.mountmadonnaschool.org/mms/performing/ramayana.htm

 

 

The Play

he Ramayana is an annual all-school event in which the entire student body takes part. This magical theatrical production of drama, dance and song has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years. In the preschool years students may begin by taking part in the ever-popular forest animal scene. Gradually they work their way through various small parts as dancers, singers, monkeys, demons, and martial artists until they finally emerge in the lead roles in their high school years. Behind the scenes, a large supporting cast of parents, teachers, alumni and Mount Madonna Center staff take on the roles of prop makers, costumers, make-up artists, technicians, musicians, stage crew, and concessionaries. This makes the Ramayana our largest school event of the year.

Ramayana Synopsis

Dharma Dass Budding

 

The Ramayana is one of India's great epic stories. Based loosely on historical figures, the Ramayana is a story about the human condition. On the surface, the play resembles a fairy tale because the beautiful princess Sita is captured by the evil villain Ravana and rescued by the heroic prince Rama. There is drama, action, loss, and rejoicing in the end. A huge variety of characters support the adventure, including Hanuman the monkey, Jatayu the vulture, Surpanaka the demoness, and Kumbakarna the giant. The Ramayana, however, is much more than a typical fairy tale. Issues of morality, honor and duty pervade the decisions each character makes. Both Sita and Rama uphold their highest values in spite of their hardships. In traditional Hindu mythology, Rama is known as Purushottam, or the highest among humans. He is considered an incarnation of God who comes to rid the world of the powerful demon Ravana. In the course of taking birth as a human, he forgets his divine nature and

is subjected to all the joys and sorrows of worldly life. The Ramayana is the story of his life acted out in a dramatic form. Several other characters are known for their strength and honor. Sita, perhaps the most misunderstood character in the play, is so pure and powerful in her convictions that Ravana is unable to subjugate her in spite of his tremendous efforts. Vibhishana is a demon that realizes the truth about Rama and stands up to Ravana. Hanuman the monkey exemplifies devotion and selfless service. Disregarding his own interests, he leaps the ocean of limitation to reunite Sita with Rama. Symbolically, Rama represents higher consciousness and Hanuman represents the life force. The life force serves higher consciousness selflessly and tirelessly. Performed all over the world, the Ramayana has delighted, enthralled, and inspired millions of people from different cultures and generations. From Bali and Indonesia to the Mediterranean and North America, people return

again and again to hear the tale of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman.

"Mount Madonna School's Ramayana, the best school pageant ever. BUT, the reality goes far beyond. Yes, indeed, all actors are students at the school from preschool to seniors, but the quality of the production raises it to the level of true art."

 

–Paul Myrvold

Entertainment Editor, Out & About Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zjj 1]

This is amazing, Vrndavan! Thanks for the post. I never would have thought that a school in California would put on such and elaborate production and for so long! It's inspiring to see and I'm sure the kids love it. They're blessed to be taught so much about Rama and Sita.

 

Jai