MAHALAKSHMI LADIES DRAMA GROUP (Dec )

By GNANAM BALASUBRAMANIAN

Vol. 12Dec 2017English

Summary

The Mahalakshmi Ladies Drama Group (MLDG), founded in 1989 in Mumbai by Gnanam Balasubramanian, began as a unique all-women theater group addressing societal issues affecting women. Initially comprising homemakers with no prior acting or stage experience, the group staged their first play, *Sindhikka Vaitha Seedanam*, tackling dowry, which resonated deeply with audiences. Over 18 years, they produced plays on themes like dowry, gender roles, family dynamics, and women’s struggles, blending social commentary with entertainment. In 1996, after relocating to Chennai, Gnanam recreated the group, continuing their mission. In 2014, MLDG shifted focus to spiritual themes, staging plays on saints like Bhagavan Nama Bhodendral and Adi Shankaracharya, incorporating innovative techniques like dubbing and special effects. Their productions, featuring over 200 women across generations, emphasize sincerity and social messaging, funded through crowdfunding and sponsorships while offering free entry to maximize impact.

Conclusion

The Mahalakshmi Ladies Drama Group (MLDG), founded in 1989 by Bombay Gnanam, represents a groundbreaking all-women theater movement that evolved from addressing societal issues to celebrating spiritual themes. Initially focusing on challenges like dowry, gender roles, and family dynamics, MLDG’s 18 early plays resonated deeply with audiences, empowering women to voice their struggles and talents. By 2014, the group embraced spirituality, staging innovative productions on saints like Bhagavan Nama Bhodendral and Adi Shankaracharya, blending traditional narratives with modern theatrical techniques. Over 200 women, from teenagers to octogenarians, have participated in MLDG’s free, non-commercial plays, which prioritize social messaging over profit. By shifting from societal critique to spiritual enlightenment, MLDG has expanded its impact, leaving audiences with profound reflections and fostering a legacy of artistic and social transformation.

Article order

In this issue

Vol. 12

—Sri Guru-ashtakamSri Shankaracharya —EditorialSwami Akhandananda —Sri Ramakrishna, the Ideal TeacherSwami Smaranananda —The Guru–Disciple TraditionSwami Gautamananda —The Guru Power and Accepting the Disciples’ KarmaSwami Suhitananda —Functions of A GuruSwami Bhajanananda —Sri Ramakrishna as a GuruSwami Chetanananda —Who is a Real Guru?Swami Dayatmananda —The Guru: A Defining Characteristic of Hinduism; Or Is It More than That?Swami Atmarupananda —Guru–Disciple Tradition in the UpanishadsSwami Brahmeshananda —Who is a Guru?Swami Nityasthananda —Characteristics of the Guru and the DiscipleSwami Alokananda —Guru: The Path and the GoalSwami Ishatmananda —A Reunion StorySwami Tyagananda —Guru: The Principle and the PersonSwami Yogatmananda —Guru-Parampara in the Ramakrishna Order Sacred memories of some of the illustrious gurus of the OrderSwami Atmapriyananda —The Guru-Mantra and Its VibrationSwami Sunirmalananda —Guru-Shakti: The Power in the UniverseSwami Satyamayananda —Guru-Parampara A Perspective from North Indian TraditionsSwami Atmashraddhananda —Guru-Ṣoḍaśī Sixteen Verses on GuruSwami Japasiddhananda —The Transformative Power of the GuruPravrajika Brahmaprana —The Guru is Like a Crystal BallPravrajika Prabuddhaprana —The Dispeller of DarknessPravrajika Divyanandaprana —Teacher or Guru: A Christian Reflection on Deep Love for Just One MasterFrancis X. Clooney —Who Is the Guru? A Personal ReflectionJeffery D. Long —The Guru Phenomenon in IndiaPrema Nandakumar —Disciples of Sri Shankaracharya and Dashanami Sannyasi ParamparaSri Mahant Lal Puriji —Untitled article —YUGAVANI: MOTHER’S COUNSEL (Dec )Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi —EDITORIAL: ARISE! AWAKE! (Dec )Unexhibited —DHARMA AND MUKTI (Dec )Swami Vivekananda —SRI RAMAKRISHNA: A UNIQUE HUSBAND (Dec )—SRI RAMAKRISHNA’S ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS (Dec )—SRI SARADA DEVI: THE IDEAL SAHADHARMINI (Dec )—SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON FAMILY LIFE: A GLIMPSE (Dec )—RISHI IDEAL FOR SPIRITUALISING FAMILY LIFE (Dec )—BRAHMACHARYA IN MARRIED LIFE (Dec )—PURITY: THE GRADED IDEAL (Dec )Unexhibited —GRIHASTHA ASHRAMA: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES (Dec )—GRIHASTHA DHARMA FROM RAMAYANA (Dec )—GRIHASTHA DHARMA IN MAHABHARATA (Dec )SWAMI SAMARPANANANDA —A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSEHOLDER: IN THE LIGHT OF YAJNAVALKYA SMRITI (Dec )—SAPTAPADI: VOWS WITH STEPS (Dec )—SIGNIFICANCE OF VRATAS: SAVITRI VRATA (Dec )Prema Nandakumar —LIVING TOGETHER: RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES (Dec )Gokulmuthu Narayanaswamy —MINDFUL PARENTING: BE A NEUROSCULPTOR (Dec )Unexhibited —WHY CONNECTION IS THE KEY TO PARENTING (Dec )NALINA RAMALAKSHMI —PEARLS OF WISDOM: TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD (Dec )Unexhibited —PEARLS OF WISDOM: BHAGAVAN BUDDHA (Dec )Unexhibited —INVESTING IN EXCELLENCE (Dec )Arundhati Bhattacharya —SPIRITUAL ROOTEDNESS AND RESPONSE-ABILITY (Dec )—THE STORY OF TWO LAKH GIRLS (Dec )Safeena Husain —JOURNEY INTO THE FREEDOM OF THE SOUL (Dec )—LIVING FOR OTHERS IS BLISS (Dec )Dr. V. Uma —SHRI MAHILA GRIHA UDYOG LIJJAT PAPAD (Dec )SMT. SWATI R. PARADKAR —VIVEKANANDA AND THE IDEAL WOMAN OF THE FUTURE (Dec )Anjana Gangopadhyay —TRUE TO MYSELF (Dec )Unexhibited —VEDICA SCHOLARS PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN (Dec )ANURADHA DAS MATHUR —MAHALAKSHMI LADIES DRAMA GROUP (Dec )GNANAM BALASUBRAMANIANCurrent article —THE ORDER ON THE MARCH (Dec )

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