Bhaona - part 2

This is (part 2 of) a recreation of a traditional Bhaona depicting a scene from the Ramayana. This performance is from the 2009 Assam Convention on July 4th weekend in Washington, DC. It's most likely the last Bhaona that will be done at a Convention.

Growing up, I always loved and looked forward to the Bhaona. It was an honor (and a dream come true) to finally be a part of it. And it was a lot of fun. :-)

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The Bhaona always begins with the Xutrador (narrator), who introduces the story and explains what the audience will see.

Rama and his Guru, Vishwamitra, enter the kingdom of Mithali, where King Janaka is holding a Swayamvara in order to choose a husband for his daughter, Sita. The challenge is to lift and string a bow given to Janaka by Shiva.

Many great princes try and fail, but Vishwamitra encourages Rama to try. Not only does he lift, but he also breaks the bow, much to everyone's surprise. Pleased, King Janaka blesses him, and Sita and Rama marry.

Their celebrations are interrupted by the entrance of Parashurama, a powerful rishi and devotee of Shiva. Angered by the destruction of Shiva's bow (and insulted that there may be a greater warrior than he), he demands to know who's responsible.

A fierce battle ensues. Finally, Parashurama admits defeat. He recognizes Rama as the incarnation of Vishnu, and, as punishment, Rama shoots an arrow into the sky, blocking Parashurama's path to Heaven.**

**As Parashurama is the 6th incarnation of Vishnu and Rama the 7th, this always seemed kind of weird to me. But I guess it's like a passing of the torch/rite of passage. Naturally, there are different interpretations of this act, but I assume what I was told is based on the dialogue here.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Bhaona
• Assamese
• Assam
• Convention
• Ramayana
• Swayamvara
• Vaishnavite