Savitri--Indian-folktale

=Indian Folk Tale=

__Group Members:__ Nikie, Jillian, Chris, Hazel, Bradley, Aaron

__Roles:__ Nikie - Narrator Jillian - Goddess + Narada Chris - God of Death + Random man + teacher Hazel - Savitri Bradley - Satyavan Aaron - King + Blind King


 * GREEN **- directions on stage
 * BLUE **- directions off stage
 * PURPLE ** - props and costume

__**SCENE 1**__

He had all a man could ask for... Or so the kingdom thought. The truth was, he longed for a child, a youthful daughter and in desperation, he prayed. **(Goddess takes a dramatic breath, blinking in the bright lights. Turns to bowed-headed king, smiles and places a hand on his shoulder)** **﻿(Hazel smiles)** Goodbye, child, and goodluck. oh, How I wish you didn't need it.
 * ~LIGHTS ON~ **
 * (Princess begins on stage under the stairs but remains invisible to the audience because she is covered by a scarf) **
 * (Goddess is on stage sitting cross-legged on the stairs, perfectly still) **
 * (Aaron is on stage sitting sadly on a throne) **
 * (Nikie walks on and starts reading out of book) ﻿﻿Aaron walks on on cue with crown, regal clothes, robe. Savitri goddess of sun is in bright red, yellow and orange scarfs, rags, dress. Narrator dressed as librarian? Savitri daughter is wrapped in white rags, diaper for she is new-born baby. Piano. **
 * NARRATOR:** Long, long ago, in India during the time of tale and legend, there was a wonderful King who was kind and gentle to his people. He was a great King with riches beyond belief and was adored by all. He had many gorgeous, slender, and of course, sexy...wives.
 * (Bradley & Chris dance on, posed as women, lean towards Aaron and 'air kiss' him) **
 * (B&C each feed Aaron a grape. Aaron stands up and B&C walk off stage) **
 * KING: (pleading, he walks to the altar and kneels) **Great Gods! Please listen to my prayers and grant me the gift of a child! I have not had one infant with any of my wives and I need a baby to carry on the name. I've been praying for years and nothing. NOTHING!! Please Gods. ** (whimpers) ** Please. All i want is a child. A beautiful daughter. Please?!
 * KING: (Looks up, surprised and shocked) **Are you the answer to my prayer?
 * (Goddess nods, takes his hand and pulls him to his feet with her. *She's still standing on the staircase*) **
 * GODDESS:** Great king, I am Savitri, Goddess of the Sun! I have heard your prayers and yes, your wish is granted! Due to your faith and compassion you have gained a beautiful daughter.
 * NARRATOR:** Suddenly, the Goddess waved her slender arms and up rised a girl worthy of being a princess.
 * (Hazel and Jill do puppet thing) **
 * GODDESS:** I, Savitri, give you a daughter. She will be all you have ever wanted; intelligent, ravishing and eyes that shine like the sun.
 * KING:** Then I shall name her Savitri, after the Goddess of the Sun herself!
 * GODDESS:** King, that is very kind of you. Thank you.
 * (Turns to Hazel, snaps fingers, Hazel stands straight) **
 * GODDESS: ﻿ ** You are hereby named Princess Savitri and this is your father, the King of India.
 * (Goddess takes Princess' hands, pats her cheek, picks up scarf and 'floats' off) **
 * (King takes Princess hand, puts arm around her and they walk off) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

__**SCENE 2**__


 * ~LIGHTS ON~ ﻿Random man on cue is dressed in average everyday clothes. Princess in indian bright clothes and scarfs and head scarfs (Sari). Random man has flower in hand. Savitri wearing some jewelry. **
 * NARRATOR:** Princess Savritri was beautiful and intelligent. She was so splendid, people thought she herself was a Goddess! However she longed for something more...
 * (Hazel's on stage while Chris is picking flowers. Turns when he notices her and holds up bouquet) **
 * RANDOM MAN:** Princess! These flowers do not compare to your radiant beauty!
 * PRINCESS:** Oh, why thank you kind sir, they're wonderful!
 * (Princess and man stand awkwardly around eachother) **
 * RANDOM MAN:** I've been all over india,
 * PRINCESS:** Oh, really?
 * RANDOM MAN:** I've seen many great people, especially woman.
 * PRINCESS:** And...?
 * RANDOM MAN:** But no one has even come CLOSE to //your// ravishing looks.
 * PRINCESS:** Annnd?
 * RANDOM MAN:** And your also very smart!
 * PRINCESS:** Isn't there anything else you want to ask me?
 * RANDOM MAN:** Uhh...who does your hair?
 * PRINCESS:** No! Something involving a ring...?
 * RANDOM MAN:** ........Who makes your jewelry?
 * PRINCESS:** UGHH! No! A question! Something you ask on one knee?! ** (says that while pushing him to his knees) **
 * RANDOM MAN:** Ummm...no princess, I have no question to ask.. on one knee...with a ring...what are you talking about?... Uh-oh! Untied shoelace!...(snickers and ties it up)
 * PRINCESS:** Oh forget it! ** (throws flowers at him, **** storms off stage, upset) **
 * NARRATOR:** Hmm...what rotten luck. Its already high time for her to marry but no man has asked for the Princess' hand.
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

**KING:** Yes my daughter? ** (He sees the tears on her face and is curious) ** Oh, what has made you upset? **KING:** Calm down child, weak men turn away from radiance like yours. Go out and find a man worthy of you. Then I will arrange a fine marriage.
 * ~LIGHTS ON~ **
 * PRINCESS:** *screams* Father! Father!** (Runs from offstage, weaping and sobbing) ** **Savitri in same clothes. King in same clothes**.
 * PRINCESS: ** Father! No man wants me! How can I be beautiful and smart, as people say, when not ONE man will marry me?! ** (Starts getting anxious, talks fast and hyperventilating) ** Oh father I'm gonna be alone the rest of my life...*blah blah blah* ** (rant about life while King verlapping her voice to calm her down) ** I'M GOING TO END UP LIKE A CRAZY CAT LADY!
 * KING: ** Oh, sweet heart that's not true!.....There are no cats in India! You'll be a crazy elephant lady at most! Hahaha!!!
 * PRINCESS:** FATHER! ** (Whining) **
 * PRINCESS:** Oh, thank you father! ** (Hugs him then runs off again) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

__**SCENE 3**__

**SATYAVAN:** Teacher, I've prepared my prayer study for 2 today...
 * ~LIGHTS ON~ ﻿Teacher dressed in funny clothes with big head dress, and funny moccassin shoes OR monk. Savitri same clothes. Satyavan, indian clothes. Blind King in monk clothes with crown and cane. Chair, bucket, ten dollar bill, flower clip. **
 * NARRATOR:** Savitri went from place to place and traveled far and wide in search of a man worthy to be her lifelong mate. Finally, after a few days, she came upon a hermitage by a river crossing. Here lived many who had left the towns and cities for a life of prayer and study. Savitri entered the hall of worship and bowed to the eldest teacher. As they spoke, a young man came into the hall. He had shining eyes, brown hair so soft and thick, and skin that glimmered like diamonds.....
 * (Hazel double-takes brad) **
 * NARRATOR:** And was gently leading a blind old man.
 * SAVITRI:** uhhmm excuse me, teacher?? ... who's that?
 * TEACHER: ** It's quite impolite to interrupt one in prayer.
 * SAVITRI:** Oh I'm so sorryy! let me introduce myself! My name is princess savitri, and I'm on a search to find a fitting husband.
 * TEACHER: ** Ah! so you have your eye on Satyavan. He is a prince from a far off kingdom, however the realm of his father, the blind king, was conquered. Now they stay here with my brotherhood. It is well that Satyavan’s name means ‘Son of Truth' for no man is more true in virtue. Satyavan is generous among all the people. He is also very kind, wise and smart.
 * SAVITRI:** ... you forgot handsome.
 * (Aaron leaves and Brad glances at jill and haze) **
 * SAVITRI:** Oh my god, he's coming to talk to me!!!
 * (Quickly fix's hair and body as Satyavan "baywatch" walks up) **
 * (Prince looks like he's heading toward princess.. then talks to teacher instead.. Haze is disappointed..) **
 * (haze cough's..) **
 * TEACHER: ** Ahhh perhaps princess Savitri will be joining us for that...
 * (Teacher leaves) **
 * TEACHER:** awwe young love..
 * SATYAVAN:** Hi
 * SAVITRI**: ....hello..
 * (bangs down, prince picks flower, and puts it in hair) **
 * SATYAVAN**: Your bangs hide your.... beautiful... eyes...
 * (giggles) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

__**SCENE 4**__

**PRINCESS:** Oh, yes, father! His name is Satyavan. **NARADA:** ** (Gasps) ** NO! Not Satyavan!! Princess, no man could be more worthy, but you must not marry him! ** (checks crystal ball) ** I know the future. Satyavan will die, one year from today. **PRINCESS:** No, father! I have chosen Satyavan and I will not be with any other man! No matter how long or short our time together will, I wish to share it with him. **KING**: Well, if that is your wish...you shall never be married!! I am King and what I say, goes! The answer is NO!
 * ~LIGHTS ON~ ﻿Narada in crazy lunatic phsyicic clothes OR POSSIBLY MODERNIZE INTO HIPPY. King same, savitri same. **
 * (King and seer are sitting on pillows on the floor, Narada is reading King's palm when Savitri runs in )**
 * SAVITRI:** Father! Father! I've found him!
 * NARADA:** Princess, hello!
 * SAVITRI:** Oh, hello, Narada, (bows) How are you?
 * NARADA**: Fine thank you.
 * KING:** So, you have found a man you wish to marry, daughter?
 * KING: (Nods to his seer, then turns angrily to his daughter) ** Child, we shall heed the warning of his death. Choose a different husband!
 * (Princess burst into tears and runs to corner of stage, sulking and sobbing. Narada looks sadly at Princess then turns to the King) **
 * NARADA:** Maybe you are being too harsh on the girl, your Majesty. She's still so young and only wants to be with her first love. Just show her you care by arranging this marriage.
 * KING:** But I do not want my only daughter to be a widow! She's all I have and what if she has no kids of her own with that man before he dies? Oh, I shall die an old King with no descendants and our name will die with me.
 * NARADA:** That's not quite true, King. I have seen the future ** (Waves hands at crystal ball) ** I see a great battle of wits. She will rescue the life of her husband. You will not die without other children. And your descendants will be plenty.
 * KING:** But how does she save him? What will Satyavan die of?
 * NARADA:** Oh, King. I am tired and my powers have grown weak. We shall talk soon but in the mean time, arrange the marriage. I see a good omen in doing so. ** (Narada gets up, bows and walks off stage) (Princess gets up wiping tears away and stands beside the King) **
 * PRINCESS: ** Well? Have we come to a conclusion, father?
 * KING:** Yes, Savitri. ** (Stands up and takes deep breath) ** You shall be married to the man of your choice but remeber, as a woman of India, Satyavan will be your only husband and you may never choose another.
 * PRINCESS:** Oh, Thank you, Father!! YAYAYAYAYAY! ** (*happy dance*, hugs father, grabs his hand and runs off stage) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

__**SCENE 5**__


 * ~LIGHTS ON~ ﻿Satyavan and savitri same. axe/machete. fake obvi. **
 * NARRATOR:** For a year, they lived happily married. But Savitri could never forget that Satyavan's death drew closer.
 * (Savitri praying, enter satyavan a little overwhelmed by her praying.... again) **
 * SATYAVAN:** Dear, I know your being well, very uhh faithful, but I think this is ridicules, I mean you've been up for what, 3 days? How about you get some rest.
 * (savitri ignores his request and continues praying) **
 * SATYAVAN: (somewhat irritated) ** This is absurd, let's go.
 * SAVITRI** : You wouldn't understand. There is something that's been bugging me.
 * SATYAVAN:** What is it dear?
 * SAVITRI:** I cannot tell you!
 * SATYAVAN:** Well all you've been doing is praying and fasting, day and night, you don't eat nor sleep, and you haven't given me a reason why! ughhh forget it, i'm going out to gather some wood......
 * (heads for the exit in a huff for stage right) **
 * (savitri goes back to her praying momentarily then suddenly has a frightening epiphany and goes chasing after satyavan) **
 * (near the end of stage) **
 * SAVITRI:**Why don't I come with you?
 * SATYAVAN:** No, you've been up all night.
 * SAVITRI:** Oh no my heart is set on going.
 * SATYAVAN:** fine if you insist.
 * NARRATOR:** So the two went hand in hand into the forest, where Savitri would try to protect her husband from what fate had in store.
 * (savitri sits on the ground cross-legged watching satyavan chop wood for about 10 seconds. satyavan then in a comical way looks at savitri, they lock eyes and share a smile but satyavan doesn't stop chopping, then he drops his axe..) **
 * SATYAVAN:** owww my head aches** (crumples down on the ground) ** It burns! whats happening?
 * SAVITRI:** No! Satyavan! oh my gosh. Satyavan! ** (completely freaking out, doesn't know what to do) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **

__**SCENE 6:**__

__**SAVITRI:**__ NO! please your excellency... Lord Yama please-
 * (complete silence. savitri and satyavan are frozen in tableaux in the positions that they were in at the very end of scene 5, lights semi on. flashlight on yama, enters) ﻿Yama wearing black hooded robes, black boots, dark face, grey hands. Sack. Flashing lights, fog. **
 * SAVITRI:** Pardon me for asking, but... Who are you?
 * YAMA:** Princess, you see me only by the power of your prayer and fasting, I am yama, god of death. Now the time has come for me to take the spirit of satyavan.
 * (yama takes some sort of glowing thing out of satyavan and puts in a sack he has with him) **
 * YAMA: -**Satyavan is a man of great virtue. Happiness awaits your husband in my kingdom.
 * (heads back to the end of the stage he came from. savitri runs after him) **
 * ~BLACKOUT~ **


 * __SCENE 7:__**

** ﻿YAMA: ** Savitri, ﻿do NOT follow a God of death as he is departing into the land of the dead! or surely you will meet your demise as well! **SAVITRI:** in good times and bad. i must stay with him. **YAMA:** Princess, your services to Satyavan are no longer required, BUT, i do admire your persistence so i am willing to grant you one wish.. any wish at all... as long as it does not relate directlyto your husband. **SAVITRI:** Please restore my father-in-laws kingdom and his sight. **YAMA:** Your father in-laws sight and kingdom has now been restored. **(lights flash, Yama continues to depart downstage. Savitri pursues)** **﻿YAMA:** Princess, although love is strong, faith will always triumph.
 * ( YAMA TURNS TO SAVITRI SHARPLY, LIGHTS FLICKER AS HE YELLS AT SAVITRI) **
 * NARRATOR:** So savitri thought, and thought
 * YAMA: ** Savitri! you have continuously pursued me and i have continuously turned you away! Turn back immediately!
 * SAVITRI:** Lord Yama i am aware that my husband will find happiness in your kingdom, but what about the happiness that was once brought to my face every time he was with me?!** (Savitri bows head slowly) **
 * SAVITRI:** Please Lord Yama, provide my father with many more children.
 * YAMA:** your father will have many more children. ** (Yama turns south once again gliding up a steep hill. Savitri pursues her husbands taker once again.) **
 * YAMA:** Savitri, i do not wish for you to come any farther!! Turn around and begin your journey back to your home.
 * SAVITRI:** Lord, as you already know, your are highly respected by all who are aware of your presence. But, i can honestly say to you, that i will never leave my husbands side no matter what form of pain or threats you through at me.
 * YAMA:** I can see that your love for satyavan is great, i respect the bond you share with him. I will grant you one last wish- as long as it is not the life of your husband.
 * SAVITRI:** Then i wish for many children!!!... and i wish for them to be the children of satyavan! ALL OF THEM!!! ** (savitri throws arms out in wide motion, yamas eyes grow wide with shame in himself for being tricked out of his own laws.) **
 * YAMA:** arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how dare you ask for such a thing, its propostrous because for the children to be his he has to be...... aliveee. Savitri, although you have not asked for satyavans life, oddly enough we have found ourselves in such a predicament where i MUST resurrect your husband to make your wish come true. Well i am a man of my word, so i will grant your wish.
 * NARRATOR:** Yama took the sack in which satyavans soul was being held. he released the knot and let the spirit fly. By the time the sun had set, Savitri found herself back where she had been before. Satyavan on her lap resting from his headache. ** (Satyavan wakes on savitris lap.) **
 * __SCENE 8:__**

**SATYAVAN:** My dearest love, i am a little confused for you are crying and smiling all at once. **SAVITRI:** let us return home my husband. I have missed you dearly. **NARRATOR:** Satyavan never did understand why savitri had longed for him so much that day, or why she had acted as though he had left her and returned. But what he did know was that he was happy with his children, who thankfully were all his, and a wife who would do anything for him and run through trials and tribulations of life with him. Yama was true to all he has promised, he granted savitris father-in-law sight and a kingdom, her father many children, and many children for herself, all of whom where satyavans. They have been living peacefully in her kingdom for many years and now it is Savitris eldest daughter who will soon find herself in this tricky situation. She just doesnt know it yet, Yama will return, but when is the question. So, for now, I guess it was a happily ever after. **(lights fade and narrator gets up, smiles and slowly walks away with book in hand)** //** (Every one comes on stage and bows.,) **//


 * T H E ﻿E N D!!!!!! **