Sri Lankan Panchali’s poetic pulse echoes through Mahabharat samagam

Bhopal: In a night where myth met music and movement, dance drama ‘Panchali' presented by Folk Art Research Centre, Colombo, emerged as the emotional heartbeat of Mahabharat samagam on Saturday at Bharat Bhavan, weaving a saga of longing, courage and transcendence that held audiences spellbound. A luminous fusion of song, rhythm and narrative — it transformed the tale of Queen Draupadi's quest for divine blossoms into a living, breathing ode to inner strength.Staged under the auspices of Veer Bharat Nyas as part of the nine-day cultural celebration exploring the Mahabharata's multi-layered themes of wisdom, dialogue and peace, ‘Panchali' stood out not merely as a performance but as a resonant experience — where Bhima's pilgrimage through the forest, his encounter with Hanuman and the eventual family reunion unfolded like an incantation of bravery and benevolence.Earlier segments of the evening offered their own artistic depths: A vigorous Kathakali presentation of ‘Dushasana Vadh' brought elemental struggle between dharma and disorder to life, while the spirited Manipur dance-drama ‘Urvashi' reflected on pride's peril and humility's grace. ‘Shikhandi' probed identity and dignity amid drumbeats of Kurukshetra. The performances echoed the Samagam's larger vision: To revisit the epic as a living testimony to compassion, resilience. With Bharat Bhavan framing this cultural odyssey, samagam continues through Jan 24 as a festival of spirit and senses.