Good evening and welcome to an Evening with RUMI presented by THE POONA CLUB in association with Spotlight Forum.
My name is Khushru Irani, a co-founder with Ritu Malhotra, of Spotlight Forum, a non-profit organisation focused on the performing arts.
A very big thank you to the Poona Club for bringing this evening to our members, and particularly to our President Gaurav Ghadoke, GG, for the enthusiasm he showed for the idea, the attention to detail, and all the work that has gone into making this happen behind the scenes.
Thank you.
This is an ‘Evening with RUMI’,
but who was RUMI, and what is his relevance TODAY
Since Rumi’s poems were published, they have been some of the most popular and timeless words ever written. His poetry is not only celebrated for their magical & mystical elements but also for the way they teach both the young and old valuable lessons about life.
Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi – or known simply as Rumi – is a 13th century Persian Sufi mystic, poet, and scholar, who transcends all time with his message of divine love, unity, and spiritual awakening. For more than eight centuries, his works have enchanted readers from all cultures, including in India.
Today, Rumi’s relevance lies in his ability to offer solace and guidance in a fractured world. He invites us to shed the ego, find harmony in diversity, and celebrate the journey of the heart. His words, interpreted across cultures, resonate with seekers navigating the complexities of modern life, making him a bridge between the spiritual and the universal. His teachings, embodied in works like the Masnavi and Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, are a universal call to look beyond the material, to embrace inner transformation, and to recognize the oneness and inner connections of all beings.
The first performance of the evening is I SERVE THE MOON by Ashwin ‘Afraad’
And it is nice that we can see the moon above us
"I Serve the Moon" is a creative exploration of Jalaluddin Rumi's timeless works and philosophy, celebrating universal themes such as love, unity, and transcendence. Presented by artist Ashwin Afraad, the show features 8-10 of Rumi’s ghazals, accompanied by Hindi-Urdu translations.
Ashwin's work spans the intersecting realms of Performing Arts, History, Languages, Literature, and Philosophy. His journey in the performing arts began with his debut film Shwaas in 2004, which earned him the National Award for Best Child Artist.
For the past five years, Ashwin has been deeply engaged in studying Farsi language and literature, offering his interpretations of celebrated literary figures such as Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Amir Khusrow.
Please welcome Ashwin.
Thank you Ashwin.
And now to RUMIYANA.
Rumiyana was created two years ago, and tonight is the first performance of it in Pune.
RUMIYANA is the work of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, and particularly its founder Dadi Pudumjee.
Dadi is one of India’s foremost and most innovative puppeteers, and has been bestowed with numerous accolades including the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, and the Padma Shri.
And What is Rumiyana?
RUMIYANA is a multimedia musical puppet theatre performance inspired by the works of the great mystic Sufi poet and philosopher Mevlana Rumi.
Owing to the universality of his thoughts, Rumi’s influence transcends nation borders and unites people across race, nationality, and gender.
RUMIYANA is enacted by two performers, the Master and the Student: along with dancers, puppeteers and visual theatre performed to specially composed music.
A knock on The Door from the student unfurls a series of exciting adventures which, in turn, unveil universal truths.
Each one takes him on a journey of unique discoveries:
A Journey of Surrender: where crossing a river turns into a life lesson
The Fable of a Caged Bird: only to realise the spirit of freedom
A Tale of Darkness: to unfold the Sun
and
A Saga of Dreams: urging one to follow their dreams
RUMIYANA explores the concept of pluralism and the unity of all existence. The universal metaphors of body, soul and shadow help us reach a deeper understanding of the idea of ‘the true self.’
Through a celebration of diversity, RUMIYANA promotes unity, love, and peace, for as Rumi says: there are as many ways, as there are seekers.
