Hey the ones as great as oceans..

Ragam:

Khandaram

Rhythm:

Atantha 14 mathras

Story Play (Attakkatha):

Ravanothbhavam

Characters:

Ravana

Narrator:

Having obtained the boons from the Lord of the Worlds (Brahma) and thus become powerful, Ravana decided to bring the universe and the gods under his command, approached his other brothers, who themselves have been blessed with boons, and spoke thus.

(Note: This scene starts with the Thiranottam (Introduction ) of Ravana followed by the famous self Enactment of Ravana called, 'Thapassattam' . The description of the enactment is given below as Reference.)

Hey the most spirited, velarous, brother Kumbhakarna;

brother, Handsome Vibheeshana, hear my words, hey the noble ones.

The one borne in Lotus (Brahma) was worshiped by me,

hey the ones as great as oceans,

then I obtained the required boons and have come (here) happily.

With the blessings of the Lord of the worlds,

I, though alone, would be enough to conquer the worlds.

No qualms about that, not a bit.

The Lord, thus seeing my penance (in his favor),

was pleased and gave me boons.

(Now), what boons He has given you, tell me.

Reference:

Note: 1. It is to be remembered that the introductory verse suggests Ravana has already obtained the boons and it is in this state that the character presents himself for the first time.

Note 2: (Once the verse is recited, Ravanan executes a performance called “Thiranottam” (literal meaning: “CURTAIN GAZE”). The purpose is to transmit the mood in which the character is currently by presenting themselves, lowering the screen)

After the Sloka has been recited (sung), Ravana (actor) performs preliminary rituals within the screen including bowing to the stage, the playback instruments and a few warm up movements. Then the screen is lowered with his palms and he views displaying pure valor. Then the screen is fully lowered and Ravana enacts his present state of pride. Thereafter he narrates through gestural and facial expressions the circumstances that led to his present state.

From this moment, the percussion play, exactly as per the body/hand movements of the actor, in a rhythmic cycle called “Thriputa” which has 7 (or its multiples) beats in every segment. The speed in which these 7 beats are presented depends on the mood to be conveyed by the actor (representing Ravana).

This enactment is presented as 'flash-back' , where Ravana asks the questions to himself, and then answers them through his enactment by describing the stories that made him so powerful.

The Solitary Enactment in Brief:

Ravana presents himself in the most ecstatic mood. He thinks why he is in the present elated state. Realizes because he is the most powerful in all the 14 worlds.

How has he become thus? He realizes he has obtained, rather snatched, boons from the Lord of Creation, Brahma.

How did he get them? By performing the most tedious penance for thousands of years.

Why did he have to do it?

Explains, their stay in the Rishi’s abode, his mother patting him while he sleeps on her lap, Vaishravana (elder brother of Ravana's born to his step-mother) passes by in the aircraft, Pushpaka as he returns after paying homage to the Rishi. She feels sad looking at wealthy Vaisravana and her poor son Ravana. The tear drops falling on his cheeks, he wakes up, inquires about the reason behind her sorrow. Knowing about the visit of Vaishravana, Ravana decides to proceed on a penance with his own brothers.

Ravana gets ready for the penance and proceeds to 'Gokarna'. Next part of enactment is to set up the fire for penance. He then looks at the Sun , orders " hey Lord Sun! till I complete my penance, don't ever move!" . Then he proceeds to take the bath before starting the penance. Back from the bath he applies ashes on all over the body, then starts to light on the fire. And the penance starts.

Ravana himself transcends to a state of meditation, intensifying the penance day after day. With no traces of Lord Brahma he decides to chop off one head and offer it to the Lord of Fire Agni. He subsequently decides to chop off all his head but one, continues penance with one head. Observing Brahma still not presenting himself, for a moment decides to withdraw; Immediately he decides against it. As he decides to chop off the only remaining head, Lord Brahma suddenly appears. Ravana attains the boons.

The enactment ends with saying that that is how he attained boons and became the most powerful.

Then he sets out to meet his brothers.

Notes:

In the above from beginning to Ravana’s awakening from the sleep would be in the slowest of the Thriputa Tempos
From the decision to go on penance till decision to chop off the heads would be in the Middle Order of Thriputa rhythmic cycle
The chopping of head would be in the fastest pace.
Brahma’s presentation again in middle pace
Attaining Boons in a slower pace
The entire enactment is meticulously choreographed such that the relevant mood, the scenario in general and that of Ravana in particular is adequately conveyed to the audience.

On completion of the soliloquy enactment; Kumbhakarna and Vibheeshana enter; approaches Ravana; bows to Ravana one after the other; Ravana returns the greetings and proceeds to enact the verses.

Stage Features:

Note: 1. It is to be remembered that the introductory verse suggests Ravana has already obtained the boons and it is in this state that the character presents himself for the first time.

After the Slokam has been recited (sung), Ravana (actor) performs preliminary rituals within the screen including bowing to the stage, the playback instruments and a few warm up movements. Then the screen is lowered with his palms and he views displaying pure valor. Then the screen is fully lowered and Ravana enacts his present state of pride. Thereafter he narrates through gestural and facial expressions the circumstances that led to his present state.

The Solitary Enactment in Brief: Ravana presents himself in the most ecstatic mood. He thinks why he is in the present elated state. Realizes because he is the most powerful in all the 14 worlds. How he has become thus. Realizes he bas obtained, rather snatched, boons from the Lord of Creation, Brahma. How did he get them? By performing the most tedious penance for thousands of years. Why did he have to do it? Explains, their stay in the Rishi’s abode, his mother patting him while asleep on her lap, Arrival of Vaishravanan in the aircraft, Pushpakam; His return after paying homage to the Rishi, Her sorrow; the tear drops falling on him, his awakening, inquiry about the reason behind her weeping, Knowing about the visit of Vaishravanan, Deciding to proceed on a Thapas with brothers, he himself transcends to a state of meditation, intensifying the penance day after day, deciding to chop off one head and offer it to the Lord of Fire Agni, Subsequent decision to chop off all his head but one, Thapas with one head, Observing Brahma still not presenting himself, for a moment decides to withdraw; Immediately deciding against it, Deciding to chop off the only remaining head, Lord Brahma suddenly appearing, Ravana’s attaining the boons and sets out to meet his brothers.

Notes:

In the above from beginning to Ravana’s awakening from the sleep would be in the slowest of the Thriputa Tempos
From the decision to go on Thapas till decision to chop off the heads would be in the Middle Order ot Thripuata rhythmic cycle
The chopping of head would be in the fastest pace
Brahma’s presentation again in middle pace
Attaining Boons in a slower pace
The entire enactment is meticulously choreographed such that the relevant mood, the scenario in general and that of Ravana in particular is adequately conveyed to the audience.

On completion of the soliloquy enactment; Kumbhakarna and Vibheeshana enter; approaches Ravana; bows to Ravana one after the other; Ravana returns the greetings and proceeds to enact the Padam.

Supplementary Details:

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Hey the ones as great as oceans..