'What is the deepest mystery we can contemplate on?' That's the question that awakened the audience as the curtains rose on the drama Chandra 108. The answers from the audience ranged from the 'Bermuda Triangle' to the 'Mariana Trench’. The narrator conveyed with a smile, breaking the collective ignorance: 'The ocean.'
'Our Gods churned the ocean to bring forth what lies hidden deep within it— the Amrit, Dhanvantri, Lakshmi Devi, etc. For now, we turn our attention towards the moon, which emerged from that cosmic churn. Just as the ocean holds mysteries, what wonders will emerge when we churn the depths of our mind?'
The theatre series of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Chennai made a grand return after seven years with an electrifying theatrical production diving into the world of Chandra—his stories, symbolism, and celestial grandeur.
After five tight months of brainstorming the plot, framing the scenes, integrating dance sequences, and revisiting each scene over eight times with our guide and spiritual mentor Swami Mitrananda, we arrived at the first draft of Chandra 108.
The first show was put up at Chinmaya Vibhooti, Kolwan, during the International Youth Convention ‘Be There’ in May 2025. After the show, we recognised that the script could be even more thought-provoking and powerful. In under a month, we revamped the script, re-recorded the scenes, and on 29 June, we were all set for Chandra 108 to be staged for the first time in Chennai.
The protagonist, Thingal Nishkalan, starts off his journey as a self-absorbed film star, insecure, driven by validation, and constantly chasing fame. His clingy yet emotionally unavailable girlfriend, Aaslesha (who insists on being called Ash), and his sarcastic, humour-driven friend, Anush, push him to confront his recurring question: 'Is this the spotlight you seek?'
The illuminating yet quietly disruptive presence of debutant director Sashi Ranjani, along with her dear friend and guru figure, Soman Tripurari, together steer Thingal towards what he truly seeks- the light beyond the spotlight.
We explore the moon through various aspects: spiritual, psychological, biological, symbolic, and cultural.
1. The moon is born of the mind.
चंद्रमा मनसो जातः।
Chandrama Manaso Jataha
Soman Tripurari explains this to Thingal when he expresses his emotional instability due to recurring nightmares. By invoking Chandra and calming the mind, one can block the unnecessary suffering and turbulence within.
2. Ekadashi—Medicine for the Mind: During a dinner party at Thingal’s home, Swati (Thingal’s close friend) and he get into a heated discussion about the impact of the full moon on cerebrospinal fluid and how it results in fatal health conditions, if Ekadashi is not practised regularly.
3. Moon Saves Dharma: Moon? Saving Dharma? Through a dance drama and reenactment of the solar eclipse during the Mahabharata, we see how the moon masks the sun and helps Arjuna fulfil his vow.
4. Chandra Namaskar: We’ve heard about Surya Namaskar, but did you know Chandra too has his own namaskar? Graceful, cooling, and much more meditative, salutations to the moon—apt and necessary for balancing the mind—are demonstrated to Thingal.
These are just a few of the many themes that were presented. It wasn’t just a play; it was a wake-up call for every budding writer, actor, techie, and manager. Countless rehearsals and meticulous choreography wove together not just scenes, but a truly cohesive team.
The cast and crew discovered their true potential: setting up an entire stage in the dark under pressure, executing lightning-fast costume changes, and ensuring that every light cue perfectly matched the mood of the scene, all of it was a testament to peak team coordination.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement of Swami Mitrananda, the brilliant penmanship of Sai Teja, the groovy music by Deepak and Priyanka and the visionary guidance of Kartheesan, who brought it all together.
The spotlight of Chandra 108 didn't just shine on the stage; it lit something within each of us.
