Ms. Vandana Daftari is a transformational leader in her own right – with passion and serenity, she has served society in many ways – through her courses, her immense flood relief initiatives in Uttarakhand, peace initiatives in Kashmir – she is a deserving recipient of the Vishalakshi Award.
In October 2024, she conceptualised and composed an Opera on the 14th century Kashmiri saint and poet, Lal Ded, called “Lal Ba Drayas”. The Lt. Gov. of Kashmir – Mr. Manoj Sinha – attended the performance and called it a laudable effort to honour the life and teachings of great saint-poet.
Here Vandana shares what made her choose this story among others, what impact the Opera created and how this beautiful mystic, Lal Ded, is still relevant today.
Why Lal Ded inspired me
Lal Ded was a brave young woman, with a profound understanding of the human condition, striving with determination to find a way out of the confusing morass of everyday life and emotional entanglements. Her only goal was the clarity and bliss of self-discovery. She was a rebel and stood alone in the face of social censure for being an unconventional woman.
In the 14th century, a woman writing in any language was a rarity, but Lal Ded was a path-breaking woman, an empowered woman, who brought social and religious revolution through her poetry. Her brilliant prose famously called as “Lal Vaakh” weaves a phenomenal literary tapestry of several hidden meanings, insightful truths and profound wisdom.
Lal Ded embodies the spiritual essence of Kashmir. Hence everything about her inspired me to bring her story to life and I am certain it was Lal Ded’s blessings that held me and guided me through this.
Opera for the youth
My aim was to bridge the intellectual traditions of our past with the aspirations of our present. In a place like Kashmir, which is mostly gripped by violence and depression, I strongly believe that reviving and sharing our cultural heritage in a manner that resonates with our youth is the need of the hour. In that context, the Opera not only celebrated the rich legacy of Lal Ded, but also served as a vital connection between our cultural past and the youth of today – that is what motivated me to bring her message to life to the young minds through a modern immersive theatrical experience.
The core of Lal Ded’s message
Lal Ded in one of her Vaakhs (verses), points to her central teaching of turning inwards to arrive at life’s greatest truths. She says, “My Guru said just one thing – Turn Within”. This was Lala’s sole education, to learn to leap inside herself.
“I rejected every false belief, immersed myself in my inner voice alone. Ultimately, I saw myself looking deeply into myself. And I knew it to be You – God in every speck.”
How it all started
The idea of showcasing Opera on Lal Ded germinated in my mind a year back and that idea was definitely the Divine sowing a seed to work towards it. I met a senior person in Kashmir, a Sahitya Academy award winner, who is an institution in himself. I shared my idea and concept with him and sought his technical guidance.
There were challenges right from the beginning! When I first conveyed my idea to a well-known literary person in Kashmir, the immediate reaction was that I should not go ahead with it could potentially cause conflict in the religious concept of Kashmir.
But I was clear from the inception that I am only bringing the facts to life without any appeasement or angst to anyone. I had strong faith in my intuition, idea and Divine Grace. Also, I was very clear that my audience will be youth and so, I wanted to showcase this opera in the Convocation Complex of Kashmir University which can seat 2000.
I had numerous meetings coordinating with Kashmir University Vice Chancellor and team in order to assure them that nothing would go wrong.
Even a few days before, when the buzz spread around in Kashmir about the opera, I got calls from many people that I should not go ahead as it will lead to many conflicts and controversies.
Kashmir being a volatile place, many unseen and unsaid challenges exist and I cannot express them all here! I had the responsibility of everything on my shoulders.
But nothing dampened my spirit – skill, patience and the vision of making it successful helped me pull through it with Grace. After 40 years, something of this kind was performed in Kashmir University and in Kashmir as a whole.
The creative process
The whole event was based on Lal Vaakhs – the spiritual poetry of Lal Ded. These inspiring verses convey timeless wisdom and insightful truths that are relevant to all – irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion. They had to be showcased in form of an opera, for which I sought technical guidance.
The selection of the verses of Lal Ded, coordinating with the musicians, singers, music director, actors, the stage settings, costumes, coordination with security – I had invited Hon. Lt. Gov Shri Manoj Sinha ji as the Chief Guest – there was so much to do!
The experience and impact
The opera touched everyone’s hearts. There was one conversation between Lal Ded, her Guru and her father – wherein Lal Ded says, “There is no bigger relationship than the relation with the Divine”
All of us – the audience and me – we had goose bumps! There were tears. I really can’t put that feeling into words, its inexpressible. The audience clapped for every Lal Vaakh that conveyed a deep-rooted spiritual message.
I was told that in past 40 years we never had such an empowering spiritual theatrical experience in Kashmir. The VC of Kashmir University told me a few days after the opera that she was still unable to get over the hangover of the opera. Principal Secretary of Culture shared with me that it was the best event that has happened in Kashmir. Many senior officers told me they had seen an opera in the US, but this was the best ever they had seen and were awestruck.
Lal Ded is relevant for today’s Kashmir
Lal Ded conveyed the message of non-discrimination on the basis of outward faith or customs. In her Vaakhs, she says, “Shiva is the sole reality and witness in whichever direction you look. Don’t distinguish the Brahmin and the Muslim, then know only yourself”
In her Vaakhs, she laid great emphasis on turning inwards and rejected the role of outward rituals and ostentation including animal sacrifice or extreme asceticism.
Her Vaakhs convey the message of harmony in diversity and peace over conflict and today’s Kashmir needs to embrace the timeless teachings and wisdom of Lal Ded to inspire and guide all towards peaceful and prosperous Kashmir.
Written by Smitha Murthy
