A cultural event celebrates storytelling through theatre

Stage Parichay 2025, held at a city club offered a powerful blend of storytelling, tradition, and theatre aimed at reconnecting children with Indian culture in an increasingly screen-dominated era.The event sought to revive the spirit of grandmother’s tales through engaging performances and traditional narratives. From Sanskrit shlokas to mythological plays, the program emphasized values, imagination, and human connection.The day opened with a soulful chanting of Sanskrit verses by children aged 4 to 14, their synchronized voices creating an atmosphere of reverence that set the tone for the evening. Two plays followed, using humor and sensitivity to explore moral lessons, before moving into a powerful enactment of the Ram-Parshuram dialogue, a dramatic clash of dharma, anger, and restraint.One of the most striking moments of the evening was the solo performance of the Navarasas—the nine classical emotions—by a young participant, who conveyed each rasa using only gestures and silence. Her performance earned thunderous applause and left many in the audience visibly moved.Another highlight was a thought-provoking theatrical depiction of the Kalki Avatar, which served as a symbolic beacon of hope and reform amidst modern chaos. The emotional peak of the evening came during a debate staged between Kali and Kalki, exploring themes of destruction and rebirth. Questions posed by the young actors—“Has the world gone beyond reform?” and “Is darkness preparing the way for light?”—left the audience in contemplative silence.The event concluded with a devotional song, “O Kanha, ab to Murli ki,” bringing the program to an emotional close. All participating children were honored with certificates, celebrating their enthusiasm, dedication, and growth.Ask ChatGPT