Click to play videoNew York: Few of us would have heard Sanskrit verses from the Bhagwad Gita recited this way — opera-style.
However, an opera titled Satyagraha, composed by Philip Glass and with a very successful run in London, has opened in New York's famed Metropolitan Opera.
The opera was written three decades ago and is based on Mahatma Gandhi's early years in South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Rajmohan Gandhi said, "I don't think my grandfather would object to the idea of an opera being used to convey his message to the people of different cultures of the western world."
The opening night reception brought together people from India and South Africa, both countries connected by Gandhi's indispensable contribution.
The Mayor Laurel Hollow, Harry Anand said, "India gave South Africa Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and South Africa gave India back Mahatma Gandhi."
"He gave birth to the largest democracy — India, the most recent democracy — South Africa, and we were able to celebrate both through this opera in New York, which is in the United States, the first democracy," he added.
Satyagraha will run at the Metropolitan Opera till May 1, 2008. Given the standing ovation it received on the opening night, the opera is expected to be sell out.
Mahatma Gandhi's story is one that Indians know and are proud of, but his legacy and his message are claimed by the whole world, as evident from this operatic tribute.
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