Saptamaatrika
Saptamaatrika is the story of the cosmic clash between the 7 Mother Goddesses and the Asura clan for order in the Universe. Inspired by artefacts from the Asian Civilisation Museum, Saptamaatrika was staged as part of the Light to Night Festival 2024. Kalari Academy’s trainers embodied the roles of the characters as they brought to live the battle through intricately choreographed Silambam fighting sequences.
Date: 2nd, 3rd February 2024
Venue: Asian Civilisation Museum, Singapore
The Story
Two brothers from the ruthless Asura clan, Shumba and Nishumba subject themselves to severe penance to ask for a boon. Pleased by their penance, Lord Brahma grants them the boon - no man or asura can destroy them. Drunk on newfound potency, they sow chaos across the universe, unraveling the threads of creation.
Shumba, in a bid to possess Goddess Parvati, sends his lieutenants Sugriva and Dhumralochana to abduct her. Assuming the battle form of Durga, Goddess Vaishnavi and Indrani spring forth to destroy the 2 asuras.
Hearing the fall of his lieutenants, Shumba sends his demons Chanda and Munda. The avatar of Durga, Goddess Bhairavi slays both the demons, and is henceforth named Goddess Chamunda.
The great asura general Raktabija steps forward. With his boon that a clone of his will rise with every drop of spilled blood, Raktabija causes utter destruction. Goddess Chamunda steps forward to put an end to his blood spill, allowing Goddess Durga to slay him, once and for all.
Left with no choice, the 2 asura brothers face Goddess Durga directly in combat. The avatars, Goddesses Brahmani, Vaishnavi and Kaumari face them in battle. Having no protection extended against Goddesses, Nishumba is the first to fall. Enraged, Shumba charges after Goddess Durga, only to face all her 7 avatars. Shumba is destroyed.
As the darkness of asuras disssolve, a vigilant ember reminds the celestial beings of the ever-present dance between light and darkness.
The Team
Written & Directed by Vedagiri G.
Goddesses
Naveena Lakshmi as Durga
Niythiya Mohan as Indrani
Swathi Suresh as Brahmani
P Niranjana as Varahi
Ponmozhi Sembian as Kaumari
Pria Ram as Bhairavi
R Akanksha as Vaishnavi
Asuras
Nirupan Muthukrishnan as Shumba
Balan Arumugam as Nishumba
E Reuben as Raktabija
Selvakumar Yokesvaran as Chanda
Zahir as Munda
Ramadoss Purushothaman as Dhumralochana
Ganesan Soma as Sugriva