Multi-media presentation pulling in large crowds

AMRITSAR: Making history simple and interesting for children and the common man is the aim of the multi-media presentations on the lives of Sikh gurus and the Granth Sahib. And yes, they are drawing large crowds at Harmandir Sahib.
One of the presentations, ''Guru Manyo Granth'', has been put together by theatre personality Kewal Dhaliwal, whose Rang Manch is one of the few surviving theatre repertories doing serious theatre in Punjab.
The presentation consists of slide and CD projections, a chorus, a sutradhar and narration of events, as Sikh tenets do not allow showing the faces of Sikh gurus.
It begins with the episode at Sultanpur Lodhi where Guru Nanak distributes his wealth among the poor. This is followed by the Bein episode where the Guru is said to have disappeared for three days and returned with the message "Na koi Hindu, na koi Musalman".
Several other incidents from the Guru''s life follow. "These stories from Guru Nanak''s life were narrated in all households by grandparents. Now the tradition has disappeared. Through theatre we are trying to emphasise this part of religion," said Kewal Dhaliwal.
Babar''s invasion is depicted through paintings. The chorus sings Nanak''s famous lines ''Paap ki janj le Kabulon dhaya''. The part on the creation of Gurmukhi script at Khadoor Sahib is particularly educative.
The Guru advocated a healthy body. A number of ''mal akharas'', forerunners of modern-day health clubs, came up in his time. The Mal Akhara gurdwara at Khadoor Sahib is witness to the Guru''s message of health.