36 Soordas’ bhajans mesmerise Bhopalites

With 36 melodious bhajans, the Bhopalites witnessed the life of spiritual poet Soordas. The play ‘Soordas’ covering the 105 years of saint’s lifespan was staged on Monday at Bharat Bhavan.

Soordas devoted his life to Lord Krishna and during his life he encountered with Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Swami Haridas, Tulsidas, Meerabai, the Mughal emperor Akbar and his court musician Tansen. Directed by Shekhar Sen, the play is written and performed by Shekhar Sen.

In the opening of the play Soordas is seen sitting with a sitar and singing his favourite bhajan 'Ankhiyan hari darshan ki pyaasi'. The devotional song took the audience into the world of calmness and serenity.

Soordas who was born blind to poor parents was a victim of neglect and abuse and this forced him to leave home at the tender age of six. His mother loved himand told him to confide in Lord Krishna who would take away all his pain and sufferings. Soordas was god loving and this gave him the strength to leave his home and spend his entire life in service of Lord Krishna.

Soordas was so fond of Lord Krishna that he would put him to sleep with lullabies. In one of the scenes, he narrates his affection towards Lord Krishna and how Krishna would react to his affection with tears. When Soordas asks him why Krishna was crying, Lord Krishna would reply ‘Teri Preet Ne mera Kajal Bhigo Diya’.

After leaving Vrindavan, Soordas starts to live with Bachu Baba and his wife Laxmi. Later, his sudden meeting with Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was also shown. He advised him to compose and sing Bhagvad Lila- devotional songs in praise of Krishna and Radha.

Soordas's interactions with Swami Haridas, Mirabai and Akbar were also noteworthy in the play. Shekar Sen, portrayed different characters which was challenging yet he gave gives an outstanding and a flawless performance.

The symbolic stage and the light design along with the pictures of Lord Krishna added a soothing effect in the play.