Dancer Arunima Kumar performs at Khajuraho Dance Festival

Photo: Arunima Kumar performs at Khajuraho Dance Festival on 5th February 2010

Born on July 1, 1978, and having started learning Kuchipudi, one of the most acclaimed oriental classical dance forms from the young age of 7, Arunima Kumar had her initial training under the most recognized Indian classical dancer Swapnasundari. Later Arunima became a disciple of Guru Jaya Rama Rao and Vanasree Rao, and she appeared in stage performances with them for about 15 years.

In 1995 the Kuchipudi Dance Academy launched her dance performance at the prestigious Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi, India, and it marked her Arangetram (Rangapravesham or official debut as a performing dancer).

Since then, Arunima has been credited with many highly acclaimed performances in many countries, including Kuchipudi Convention in USA (2008), Nehru Center (London), Tagore Center (Berlin), Asian Arts Festival (Manila), Sydney Opera House, Canberra Festival, Expo 2000 in Hannover and Lisbon, and many more.

Arunima Kumar is also a noted dance choreographer, and conducts research on performing arts to explore the creative potential of the classical and other art and dance forms.

Arunima graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, and then she studied for M.Sc. (Finance and Accounting) at the London School of Economics. In line with her educational background, she was a banker and a consultant for corporate houses till the year 2009.

Arunima has appeared several ballets in several television programs, documentary films, music videos, advertisements, and a cameo appearance in the Bollywood feature film “Rajneeti” directed by Prakash Jha.

As recognition of her talent, in 1998 Arunima was awarded the Sahitya Kala Parishad Scholarship for Dance. She was also honored with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar for 2008 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy established by the Government of India) for her outstanding contributions to music, dance and drama.

Arunima Kumar has been praised by the media as a naturally talented and endowed dancer and performer. She is noted for her large expressive eyes and enthralling stage presence. Her Abhinaya (the art of expression) and her ability to bond with her audiences, coupled with her modern interpretation of the “traditional Padama, Javalis (traditional songs) and other compositions” are the hallmark forte of her performances.

She is also a talented exponent of classical dance renditions, perfect technique and rhythmic precision, and above all effective and graceful facial expressions.

Diwali and the myth of Narakasura

Photo: Krishna and Satyabhama fighting Narakasura's armies, painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA.

Deepavali (Divali or Diwali) literally means ‘row of lights’. According to one legend, the festival is celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killing the Demon Narakasura. Another legend says the festival is celebrated on the occasion of return of Lord Rama and Sita to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile.

In Hindu mythology, Narakasura (or Naraka) is the Asura (demon) son of Goddess Earth (Bhudevi or Bhumi) and Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) Avatar (incarnation). Some other legends say that Narakasura is the son of the Asura, Hiranyaksha.

Narakasura established the kingdom of Pragjyotisha in Assam defeating the last of the Danava king Ghatakasura. As it was foretold that he would be killed by a later incarnation of Vishnu, Goddess Earth sought a boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and he should be all powerful. Vishnu readily granted these boons.

In the history of Assam, Narakasura is cited as the progenitor of many dynasties that ruled Kamarupa in its golden times. He is also associated with the myth of the Shakta Goddess and the place of worship, Kamakhya.

Narakasura joined forces with another Asura, Banasura, and brought all the kingdoms on earth under his rule, conquered Swargaloka, and defeated Indra. Thus Narakasura became the overlord of the heavens and the earth. Also, he abducted and imprisoned 16,100 women in his palace. Besides, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped her territory.

Defeated and helpless, the Devas, led by Indra, complained against Narakasura to Lord Vishnu who promised that he will mitigate their plight when he will be incarnated as Lord Krishna.

During the Krishna Avatar of Vishnu, Aditi, who was a relative of Satyabhama (an Avatar of Bhudevi), approached Satyabhama for help. Upon this, because of Narakasuara's ill-treatment of women and Aditi, Satyabhama asked Lord Krishna’s permission to wage a war against Narakasura.

As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount Garuda with wife Satyabhama. The battle was fierce, as Narakasura unleashed his huge armies of Asuras on Krishna. But the Lord slew them all, and killed Mura, Narakasura's general, because of which Krishna is also called Murari (the enemy of Mura).

In desperation, Narakasura launched Sataghni (a thunderbolt) on Krishna, but it made no impact on Krishna. Finally, when Narakasura tried to kill the Lord with a trident, Krishna beheaded him with his Sudarshana Chakra.

Before dying, Narakasura requested a boon from Krishna that his death anniversary be celebrated by all people on earth. So, the day of his death is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi', the first day of Diwali.

In another version, Narakasura had gained a boon from Brahma that he would die only at the hands of his mother. So, Satyabhama, along with Krishna, fought Narakasura bravely, but she was no match to him. When Narakasura got a chance, he took aim at Krishna, hurting him lightly. Krishna fainted in a preordained, divine plan adopted to empower Satyabhama.

On seeing the fainted Krishna, Satyabhama was furious, fought fiercely, and killed the demon finally. Before dying, he requested a boon from his mother (Satyabhama) that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful lights. Thus this day is celebrated as the first day of Diwali, 'Naraka Chaturdashi'.

The victory on Narakasura resulted in freedom for all his prisoners, and honoring of Aditi and Lord Krishna rescued all the 16,100 imprisoned women, and married them to restore their former dignity.

Kandeels: paper lanterns lighted during Diwali

A Kandeel [Sanskrit: Akasha Deepa (lantern of the sky), Kannada: Goodu Deepa (Nested light) or Nakshatra Gudu (Star like nest)], is a colorful decorative lantern made of wooden frame and covered papers. These are generally hung in front of homes during Diwali (or Deepavali meaning Festival of Lights), sometimes for around a month from the first day of Diwali.

Kandeels are traditionally built in a crystal shape with tails at the bottom. But in modern times, people created Kandeels in different shapes of stars, globes, airplanes, or any shape that suits their imagination, but the central idea is to make the Festival of Lights more impressive and colorful.

Diwali (also spelt Divali) is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, and celebrated in India, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Fiji, Surinam, and other places where people of Indian origin and/ or Hindu/ Sikh/ Jain faiths live.

Happy Diwali to all !

Happy Diwali , originally uploaded by diwali47.

The word Diwali (also spelt/pronounced as deepawali, deepavali, deewali) means “row of lamps” or “row of lights”. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. In India Diwali is celebrated almost as a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most of the Indians all faiths.
Diwali is celebrated a day earlier in South India than in North India, since Lord Ram traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India; he passed through the south earlier, as the legends say. Hindus have several significant events associated with it, like the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, the killing of Narakasura, the austerities (vrata or fasting) of Shakti, birth of Goddess Lakshmi, defeat of Indra by Krishna, etc.
Many legends are associated with Diwali. Jainism marks Diwali as the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred in 527 BC. Among the Sikhs, Diwali has special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind Singh, who had been held captive in the Gwalior Fort by Mughal emperor, Jahangir. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
On the day of Diwali, most of the people wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened.
Homes are cleaned and decorated before Diwali. Offices perform pooja and bonuses and holidays are granted to employees. People buy property and gold. For children, fire works/crackers, new clothes and sweets make Deepavali the most eagerly awaited festival of the year.
Melas (or special markets) are organized before Diwali. At a mela there are performances by jugglers, magicians, acrobats, snake charmers, puppet shows and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweets and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, including Ferris wheels and rides on animals like elephants and camels.
Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Kenya, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, and the United States, where people of Indian origin or people associated with the legends associated with Diwali live and their friends and associates of all faiths and regions join in celebrations.