It is Bhagavatamela time

In connection with Nrisimha Jayanti, a series of plays will be staged through the month

Bhagavata Mela artists performing Prahalada Charitam. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Come May, it is Nrisimha Jayanti time. The day is celebrated on the day of Swati nakshatra in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. This year the day falls on May 20 . The occasion is commemorated with the performance of Bhagavatamela in the village of Melattur at two venues . The natakams were composed in chaste Telugu by Sri Venkataramana Sastry (1743-1809). The highlight is the enactment of Prahlada Charitram .

The preparation and presentation of the natakams involve absolute dedication on the part of the performers, who are inheritors of this great legacy.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Jayanti Bhagavata Mela Natya Nataka Sangam opens its 76 year festival

at Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple on

May 23, 9 a.m ., with unchavriti and namasankirtanam.

Arayar Sevai by Sri Rama Sarma, honoured with the President’s award, will perform at 6.30 p.m. followed by a vocal rendition of Carnatic music by Chitra Bilvam and Namasankirtanam by Udayalur Kalyanaraman at 9.30.

Prahlada Charitram will be enacted at 9.30 p.m. on May 24 .

The week following will be marked by Bharatanatya offerings. Harischandra ( May 26 and 27 ) and Rukmini Kalyanam, both Bhagavatamela style and Valli Tirumanam, a Tamil opera, are the other major events. The event will conclude on May 31 with Hindu Marriage Songs, presented by Marabu foundation of Dr. Rama Kausalya and Anjaneya Aradana.

Contact 9443127000 and melattur.bhagavatamela @gmail.com website: www.bhagavatamela.org

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple is the venue for the festival (May 17-25 ) conducted by Melattur Bhagavata Mela Natya Vidya Sangam and Melattur Bhagavata Mela Natya Natak Trust .

On May 20, 7 p.m ., the inauguration of the Natya-Nartaka Utsavam will be followed by the release of a book, ‘Prahlada Charitramu,’ in Telugu and Devanagari.

‘Prahlada Charitramu’ in traditional Bhagavatamela style in the light of oil lamps will take place at 8.30 p.m. Krishna Janana Leela and Aandal Tirukkalyanam (Tamil) are the other programmes on the agenda.

Contact 9940913294, bhagavatamela.melattur @gmail.com Website: melatturbhagavatamela. org