Alphabet Connection: A Bala Vihar Vedantika Spell
After learning the Alphabet Connection, the corners wear out and shapes change into a complete whole. Photos: Jayesh Mistry
By Padmashree Rao
HOUSTON: A greater vision was the thematic hallmark of the Alphabet Connection, an exceptional Bala Vihar play which unfolded center stage at Stafford Center in Houston on July 6, 2013, in the presence of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda and visiting Acaryas of other CM centers.
Dedicated to the dream of a ‘Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan’ in North America, over 60 children of Bala Vihar Houston cast a delightful spell on a rapt audience bringing home the ancient Vedantika message in a language as elementary as the ABCs of an alphabet. The 90- minute musical was scripted by Acarya Darshana Nanavaty of CM Houston, directed by Jennifer Minor, theater director of Austin High School, and orchestrated by Jamuna Murali, choir director of Houston Bala Vihar. The flawless, spirited performance of the children made the dialogue thought-provoking, the presentation unique and creative, and the musical rhythm contemporary and catchy.
The letter A infuses the “Ambition” to “Be Somebody” without arrogance, and the letter G guides Mr. IT to a “Goal”. Every other alphabet befriends the protagonist with a special value brotherhood to courage, truthfulness, dedication and unconditional love.
The search for complete happiness is a natural journey of every human being and that was what made the Alphabet Connection appealing to the young and old, the carefree and the serious among the 1200-strong audience. Happy-go-lucky, carefree Mr. IT, a piece of a pie is enjoying life with the motto “JUST CHILL … CHILL …”. His Conscience becomes his companion and a guide. However, he often ignores or tries to sidestep his Conscience in the rush for having it all. The persistent Ms. Conscience goes through its treasure chest and invites the letters of the alphabet to help him unearth his complete identity.
Happy-go-lucky, carefree Mr. IT, a piece of a pie is enjoying life with the motto “JUST CHILL … CHILL …”.
The letter A infuses the “Ambition” to “Be Somebody” without arrogance, and the letter G guides Mr. IT to a “Goal” rich with hard work, God’s grace and a happy smile. Every other alphabet befriends the protagonist with a special value from brotherhood to courage, truthfulness, dedication and unconditional love.
Sidetracked by the false glitter of fame and the restless expectations of relationships, Mr. IT is keen to find his missing piece “that will make him Complete”, He thinks. His attempts to meet and mingle with shapes of all kinds still leave him lonely and mismatched. Sharp negative emotions poke and prod the little piece of pie. Then, guided by the God’s Grace, he sees a wholesome round pie that rolled by happily all alone. He finds his Teacher who teaches him – “These sharp corners are your strong likes and dislikes. Learn to remove them and be complete. Remember – corners wear off and shapes change”. He finds his answer, and gains the wisdom of connecting with the Highest to become complete.
Taking us through the path of re-shaping ourselves in order to achieve true happiness, the play was entertaining and enlightening. All the children who acted, no matter how small or big their role, spent months practicing with such enthusiasm that this play is truly their offering to the Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan. While Darshana Aunty, Ms. Minor, and a team of dedicated Bala Vihar teachers tirelessly planned and guided the rehearsals, many other teams of CMH helped set the stage for this massive production. Vibrant costumes and elaborate stage props created by a skillful art team added elegance to the show. The musical scores sung by the talented Bala Vihar children and the orchestra that provided the appropriate background mood made the whole production professional and heart-warming.
Pujya Guruji appreciated the show and the children’s talented performance as spectacular. With a reminder that the most important connection has to be with God, he also said that happiness of a lifetime lies in making others happy unconditionally.
The Alphabet Connection was a memorable fundraiser to unveil the Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan at Chinmaya Prabha and commemorate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s birth centenary in 2016. A meditation center and a building with multimedia presentations at Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan will keep the future ever connected to Gurudeva’s far-reaching vision.
For further information on Chinmaya Mission Houston and its activities visit www.chinmayahouston.org or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233