Akshay Kamat
Independence Day is a very special day for all the Drama boys – we get to present a play full of patriotic fervour, charged with emotion in front of the Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata. Rewinding to August 15th, 2009, when I was playing the role of Alexander. Bhagawan had spoken to us actors before the drama and looking at my crown and costume and considerably huge frame had asked which role I was playing. The drama began and just as my scene was about to start and the props like the thrones and tables were being assembled, Swami asked our Warden, who was seated next to him, “Which scene is next?” He said, “Swami, Alexander’s scene”.
Bhagawan smiled and told him, “If that boy sits on this throne it will surely break”.
One of the drama leads sitting there heard this and urgently communicated it via the walkie-talkie system backstage. I was about to step foot on the stage, and someone just ran up to me and told me, “Don’t sit on the throne, Swami has said it will break!” I was taken off-guard as the cue to begin the scene was when I sat on the throne – and none of the other actors knew this twist as they were already assembled on stage. Praying to the Lord who was enacting His own drama within the drama I went on stage to see Bhagawan smiling, waiting to see how I was going to manage this curveball. I stood next to the throne and looked at the actor whose dialogue kick started the scene and said, “Tell me what you have to say”. He too was bewildered by the strange turn of events, but complied and the scene went off smoothly.
It was a test of Surrender + Adaptability + Presence of mind which could be passed only with His grace and training.
Today, in these unprecedented Covid 19 times, every consulting article that I come across at work states that it is these very skills that are the need of the hour! Swami has been preparing us with tests in His protected, simulated hostel and Mandir environment to prepare us for the real test when it comes so we can continue to remain connected to Him in bliss!
In a nutshell, we must be ready to play the role He wants us to. Not because He enjoys being the Sutradhar (the controller of puppets), but because it is for our wellbeing and ultimate liberation.
Across the seven years in Bhagawan’s educational institutions, I was blessed to play a variety of roles, as a student working hard for academics, a captain of the cultural wing of the Institute and the School, a member of the Sahasra Chandra Yagna Vedam group, a Volleyball player as well as an actor and director of dramas in His presence. Swami would involve Himself in each of these and 100 more activities, ensuring the highest quality of performance! Not because He, the Lord of the Universe, had spare time, but again, just to ready us for the world and the life ahead, out of His Infinite love!
Coming to dramas, which are the closest to my heart, as years passed as a student, I was somehow selected only to play negative roles. I ended up playing the roles of Duryodhana, Raavana, Yama, Alexander and Hiranyakashipu twice, the second time in my final Convocation Drama in 2009. I was a bit sad at that time, as it was a small eight-minute scene and I was hoping to play a positive role for once with a longer duration on stage (the tricks of the mind). But one of the lead directors told me, “You play this role and you will see how Bhagawan blesses you”.
It reminded me of how Mother Kaikeyi took upon herself the role of a villain at Rama’s behest to kickstart the events that took place for the Ramayana to be executed. And I decided to play along.
Bhagawan’s methods of showering grace, once you surrender to His will are even more beautiful. He came to see the practice session and said, “Everything is nice, but Hiranyakasipu has work to do.” Just to give me a chance to speak to Him, He called me ahead and spent 15 minutes advising how to act angry better and said that He would keep a tab as to how I was performing going forward. And this continued for every rehearsal! He would search for me and say “today I will check how you act” and smile.
On the final Convocation day, Swami came to bless us actors prior to the Drama. Acting confused as if He did not know which drama it was (He is the Master Actor) he suddenly saw me and said “Oh It is your drama, now I know”. The final seal that it did not matter that I was a villain or the number of dialogues and duration on stage I had. It was my just readiness to play the role He wants!
With this Awareness that studying life at His Lotus feet has awakened us, let us remain ever connected to Him and fearlessly do the right thing at the right time, donning the role of His Student for this lifetime!
Akshay Kamath High school Grade 11 & 12, B. Com Hons (gold medal) in Brindavan, MBA (gold medal) in Prasanthi Nilayam, 2003 – 2010. Currently Associate Director M&A at SPi Global, in Manila, Philippines. He was the National Youth Head for Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, South Africa in 2015-17 during which time he directed a drama titled ‘I am I’ with 30 local youth which was presented in Sai Kulwant Hall in October 2015.
