Today’s schedule was Day 18: Aadi 21: Nal-utsavam, Virata Parvam (Madu Pidi Sandai), AM abhishekam, (Puducherry Yadava Marabinar)
It rained this afternoon so we went and saw the alankaram (Veera Panchali on the horse vahana, sitting sidesaddle, all ladylike) and left but didn’t return.
Today’s stories would have been from Bharatam Book 4, about the Pandavas hiding in disguises in the kingdom of King Virata, the Kaurava raid on his cattle, Arjuna revealing his identity, the completion of the year incognito. No enactment of it, it seems. Veerappan bhagavatar said he sang the mangalam and the nadaswaram played along very well – and it was special, but I missed it. Heartbreaking for me. I hope I get another chance. The Nadaswaram players have complained that their music is often drowned out by the sounds of the mechanical drums – odd that both are played simultaneously, creates a bit of a din. But at times like this when they voice their complaint, it is taken into account and that’s nice.
The schedule lists a noon Annadanam, but no sign of it having happened.