To adhere to the raag tradition of Aryavarta (the erstwhile name of India), a series of indigenous strings and tappings (taal) from across corners of the country will resonate through the new precincts of Ram Lalla just before his Praan Prathishtaa on Monday afternoon. The entire musical saaz-sajja (ensemble), referred to as ‘Mangal Dhwani,’ includes instruments ranging from native Awadh’s or Uttar Pradesh’s Pakhawaj, Bansuri, and Dholak to Karnataka’s Carnatic Veena, Delhi’s Shehnai, and Gujarat’s Santar, among other melodious instruments. The scheduled performance will fill the temple premises from 10 am until noon, leading up to the final puja ceremony at 12:20 pm on January 22, in the presence of a host of devotees and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The entire musical extravaganza has been orchestrated by the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi which comes under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture. The programme is being coordinated by renowned writer of Ayodhya culture Yatindra Mishra.
Sources in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Praan Pratishthaa Samvad Kendra said that the decision for this musical occasion has been taken as it has been the Sanatan Dharma tradition that the invocation of Lord should in complete joy and harmony and India has been culturally rich in the music and musical instruments right from ancient times.
Maharashtra’s Sundari, Punjab’s Algoja, Odisha’s Mridaal, Madhya Pradesh’s Santoor, Manipur’s Pung , Assam’s Nagara and Kaali while Chhattisgarh’s Tambura will also be played by leading maestros in their field for two hours. According to the note circulated by the organisers, Pakhawaj of Bihar, Ravanhatha from Rajasthan, Shreekhol and Sarod from West Bengal, Ghattam from Andhra Pradesh, Sitar from Jharkhand, Uttarakhand’s Hudkaa and musically rich Tamil Nadu’s Nagaswaram, Tavil & Mridangam will also add on to create a divine atmosphere on the day.
Government officials said arrangements are being made for the smooth and successful conduct of the consecration ceremony as the nation will be led by the Prime Minister and more than 8,000 guests to visit the temple on this day, followed by lakhs of devotees from January 23 onwards.
Besides the live telecasts by Doordarshan a Special News Bulletin titled Ram Ki Paidi, Shri Ram Ayodhya Aaye Hain, daily Ayodhya round-up, guest discussions, special stories and vox-pops have been arranged. Legendary bhajan artists in the likes of Anoop Jalota, singers Shaan and several others are in the pipeline to lend their voice at several stages of the week long consecration ceremony. Besides several cultural programmes, including dance forms of Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, have already started at locations such as Ram Ki Paidi, Dharam Path, Tulsi Udyan, Circuit House, Saket College, etc, where visitors will be acquainted with cultural activities of different States.
Organisers said vivid events will introduce the cultural theme of the new Ayodhya. Renowned spiritual speaker Devkinandan Thakur will narrate the Ram Katha at Ram Katha Park which will run until January 23. “Number of programs have been arranged for the next few months as lakhs of devotees are expected in Ayodhya every day beginning any day this month,” said an office bearer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra.
