Music & Dance Reviews : India Epic ‘Ramayana’ at La Mirada Theatre

Most of the dance versions of the Indian epic “Ramayana” we’re used to seeing locally begin in the middle of the story, with Rama already banished to the forest, accompanied by his wife, Sita, and his brother Lakshmana, and the subsequent abduction of Sita by the demon king Ravana.

The Fullerton-based Indo-American Folk Arts organization, however, offered a far more inclusive account in its lavish and lovingly naive production, “Ram Charit Ramayan,” Monday at the La Mirada Theatre.

Utilizing recorded music, narrated text and lyrics (in Hindi), slide projections, straight dramatic scenes and dance segments, “Ram Charit Ramayan” began with the birth of Rama and ended with him and Sita returning from exile to assume the throne of Ayodhya. Sita’s later banishment and exoneration and Rama’s poignant return to heaven were omitted.

Probably no version, certainly not one filling only 2 1/2 hours as did this one, can do justice to the wonders of the epic. But among a score of lovely moments were the comic vignettes of Sita’s suitors failing to stretch Shiva’s bow and the refined dancing at the demon court in Lanka.

Bombay choreographer Shyambhai Mithaivala found distinct movement styles for the differing locales of the story and also created steps and patterns that allowed the mostly young and unprofessional dancers to look good.

The glossy program booklet ran color pictures and the names of some 130 cast members, but failed to link any one of them with any particular character in the drama.

However, dancing Sita with grace was Arti Manek, who also conceived the production. (The Manek family sponsored the event). Uma Manek was the narrator: supple, expressive in gesture.

Dhaval Buch made a stocky, sometimes awkward Rama, but his emblematic acting worked for the story. Piyush Mehta was Lakshmana.