Mahamayi

Ranga Adhyana Kendra at Alvas College, Moodbidri performed Mahamayi play written by Jnanapeetha award winner Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara. The first stage show of the play was performed on evening of October 4th at the Nudisiri auditorium, Vidyagiri. The performances were shown every evening till October 9th. This capture was of the performance held on October 8th.

All the photos in this capture were taken using newly released Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera. This 24MP APS-C mirroless camera was coupled with excellent Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. This lens is equivalent of 70-200 on a full frame body. No flash was used. ISO was on auto, ranging from 200-1600. Aperture mostly between f/2.8 to f/4. Shutter speed most of the time was in 1/80. Despite very low light, I did not get very many misfocused photos. Canon during similar shoot of Chora Charanadasa suffered quite a bit of misfocus. Quick focus and ability to see the end result inside the viewfinder were the two qualities of the mirrorless camera really attracted me to this camera. Please wait for the detailed review of this camera soon.

Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara is a renowned contemporary poet, novelist, playwright, and movie director. He had carved his mark in Kannada literature and effectively used the language of North Karnataka in his works. His plays were performed in various parts of the country. Mahamayi (supreme mother) is one of his excellent works.

Mahamayi revolves around two characters, which are opposite poles in their intention and action. Shetavi Tayi and Sanjiva Shiva are the two characters. Sanjiva Shiva tries to save the princess who suffers due to illness and Shetavi Tayi wants to gobble up the princess. Who succeeds in their effort is the core essence of the play.

The act of Sanjiva Shiva who longs to save the life of the princess who lost hope to live poses certain questions to the mankind. Death is the ultimate for all the living beings. Whatever may the man does, ultimately he has to surrender himself to death. But love is an elixir, which is capable of making the death to be on its knees.

Mahamayi sets stage for the battle between death and love. It shows the audience the truths of life. Sanjiva Shiva answers Shetavi Tayi’s upbringing and killing instincts with his medicinal skills that he has acquired. As Shetai Tayi who resides in the cave grows out as a bird of death, Sanjiva Shiva grooms the doctor in him to be an outstanding medic.

Superstitions hinder practicality. Superstitions make one unable to live up to his abilities. Mahamayi play conveys the message of winning over the darkness of superstitions with the light of progressive thinking and act. The play is the battle between Shetavi Tayi, who draws a web over the love for human beings and Sanjiva Shiva, who longs to break the chain and be free.

Human beings have created a hell around them by ignorance. The freedom in its real meaning is to become a real human being. Sanjiva Shiva understands that truth and goes beyond the words of mother of deaths to save the princess with his medical skills.

Jeevaram Sullia has meticulously trained 26 of these Alvas college students for over 3 months, result of which was very evident in the play. Professional acting, flawless pronunciation, dedicated involvement into every character of the play looked as though they are highly trained professional actors and not just students who took it as hobby. Jeevaram Sullia has very ably directed, provided music besides managing stage technique, design and lighting.

You can check kannada review of the same play written by Akhsara Damle here.