Children of Panache, in Mahishbathan, performed a skit for Diwali sharing the history of Char Dham, the set of four Hindu pilgrimage sites around the country.
The skit was divided into four sections, where a narrator explained the context and others enacted the roles of the gods. Behind them on a big screen was the Himalayas of Badrinath, the sea at Puri and so forth.
The kids enacted how when Nara-Narayana meditated in the Himalayas, his consort Lakshmi took the form of a badri tree to protect him from the elements. The tree spread to become an entire forest, later known as Badrinath.
At Rameswaram, Rama worshipped Shiva after slaying Ravana, Dwaraka was the home of Krishna and at Puri, the kids showed siblings Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra blessing devotees.
“Every year we organise cultural programmes to connect children with their roots,” said Mala Maheshwari, who had written and directed the skit. “About 20 children, aged between seven and 11, took part and they were full of questions. This is how they learn that which is not taught in schools.”
They also held an antakshari where participants had to identify songs based on situations presented by hosts Rahul Kanoria and Soma Jain. There were kids’ dances too.
Kali puja was performed, ladies presented a grand Lakshmi arati together and everyone burst “green” crackers right outside the complex. The Diwali programme was coordinated by Shyam Dammani.