I am impatient.
I have two left feet.
I’m not particularly religious.
I absolutely dislike sci-fi, anime, or anything remotely unrealistic.
Yet this past weekend, I sat through a five-hour dance drama on the nine forms of Goddess Shakti—and I could have watched more.
Such was the talent, finesse, and thoughtfully curated storytelling delivered on Saturday, November 15th at Lake Oswego High School by the 70+ member Surya Teja Arts team.
From Shailaputri, the mountain-born maiden, to Brahmacharini the ascetic, Chandraghanta with her crescent moon, Kushmanda who births the universe, Skandamata the divine mother, Katyayani the pious daughter, Kalaratri the fierce destroyer of evil, Mahagauri the serene form nearing awakening, and Siddhidhatri—the enlightened one who culminates as Mahadurga—the production brought each form alive with energy and reverence.
I had never known, until this performance, that the Goddess is called Durga because she vanquished Durgamasura. The story of demons seeking near-immortality and the Goddess outwitting them each time—with redemption and forgiveness woven in—felt as gripping as any modern thriller. Drama, romance, action, anticipation, even sci-fi-like visual effects—this production had everything.
The costumes, makeup, and stagecraft were exceptional. But the moment that stayed with me was the dance between the raging Kalaratri and her counterpart, Nataraja, trying to calm her. Andela Ravamidi Padamulada, an untouchable classic from Swarna Kamalam, was elevated even further by director Balu garu’s vision. The placement of the Goddess’ moment of self-realization within the song was sheer brilliance. When Kalaratri accidentally strikes Nataraja with her foot, the entire auditorium held its breath. The young dancers’ choreography was nothing short of astounding.
Only when my seven-year-old whispered that the performers had played bride and groom in the Tirumala Annamayya show back in May did I snap out of the trance. Until then, all I saw was the majestic union of Shiva and Shakti—the cosmic balance urging us to seek the divine in everyone and everything.
Take a bow, Director Balu garu, Surya Teja Arts, and SMVA Trust.
You transformed your audience for the better.
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