Defeat of Death

Defeat of Death - is a dance production based on the ancient story of a pious woman -Savithri. She was a powerful spiritual person who spoke with the Yama, the God of Death and got her husband released from his fist. Savitri’s story comes across in the ancient epic – “Mahabharata”.

Aurobindo, an Indian freedom fighter who fought against British Empire in south Asia turns inwards and becomes more spiritual. He worked on the great knowledge of traditional Indian thinking and philosophy. He has translated ancient texts such as Upanishads into English. His greatest work is Savithri, which deals with the science of Meta physics and logic of life and death. Savithri is a brave move towards understanding the depth beneath a legend.

Savitri’s story is as followed.

Savitri is the princess, who falls in love with Sathyavan – who was a commoner. Savitri’s love towards him is unparallel. Her devotion to him had no bounds. Sathyavan also loved her to his life. After one year of their marriage Sathyavan dies in the forest and as he sleeps on Savitri’s lap. She figures out her beloved in passed away. Savitri senses the movement of Yama around her. To her inner eyes of knowledge – Yama becomes visible. She follows him. Yama will be surprised to see a human following him, while he travelled across parallel worlds of demi Gods, Supreme Gods. Savitri travels with him with her shear will and spiritual help. Yama discourages her to follow him. Yama tries to give her bribes – such as wealth to her family, eye to her blind father-in-law. Savitri will not deter.  When both arrive at the gates of dead – Yama Loka, Yama assures she will have a great life with many children. This confuses Savitri – as she cannot be in love with any one else other Sathyavan. Yama finds himself in a logical quagmire being the protector of Dharma, he agrees to release as per his own boon. Savithri and Sathyavan return to Earth happily.