Giridhara Meera
A one - woman confluence of music, dance and monologue

Giridhara Mira attempts to explore the life of the great saint Mirabai though her bhajans, dance and monologue. This story, which tells a timeless tale of the constant struggle between spiritualism and materialism, is presented by Manasi in the form of a music-dance feature. This 1 hour production features soulful recorded music rendered by Manasi herself, creative use of monologue, mood-enhancing lighting and graceful dancing. It is the first ever attempt of its kind in India, where the singer and dancer are the same.

This production premiered to a packed house in 2005 and has been performed several times since then at venues in Bangalore, and also internationally at Tanzania, Kuwait and in the United States. Giridhara Mira was acclaimed in glowing terms by critics in national dailies such as the Hindu and Deccan Herald.

The story unfolds at a time where Mira, the princess, the widow, is at a crossroads between her mundane life at the palace, and her spiritual love for Krishna. As she prays for his guidance, she begins to remember the various incidents in her life- how she first saw Krishna as a little girl, how this infatuation was transformed to a deep love, how she was married against her will despite being wedded in her dreams to Gopala, how she became a widow but was ill-treated by her family as she refused to commit Sati. Upon remembering these various incidents, Mira realizes the futility of her materialistic existence and leaves the palace and her worries behind. From then on, Mira sings and dances in the streets of Dwaraka and Brindavana, until she finally realizes that the Lord is not merely her Divine soulmate, but the Eternal One, and she leaves her mortal self to merge with her Lord.


 

 

 
 
Copyright Manasi Prasad 2009