Meera (TV series)

Meera
Format	Drama
Created by	Sagar Arts
Starring	Aashika Bhatia Gauri Harmit Kaur Kunal Bakshi Paras Arora Twara Desa
Opening theme	"Meera" by Sunny Bawra, Inder Bawra[1]
Country of origin	India
Language(s)	Hindi
No. of episodes	134
Production
Running time	Approx. 24 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	NDTV Imagine
Original run	July 27, 2009 – January 29, 2010
External links
Website

Meera, based on Meera,an aristocratic Hindu mystical singer and devotee of Rajasthan and one of the most significant figures of the Sant tradition of the Vaishnava bhakti movement, is an Indian television series produced by Sagar Arts which aired at 8 pm on NDTV Imagine from July 27, 2009 to January 29, 2010.

History

Meera, the great poetess saint was born a princess in Khudki in Rajasthan in early 16th Century. Her father was Ratan Singh- the youngest son of Rao Dooda, the then ruler of Medatha a small state in Marwar. From the time of her birth itself, it was predicted by Raidasji (a great saint) that Meera was meant for greater things and that her family would be known in through the decades because of her achievements.

When Meera is about 8-9 yrs old she wants a “gudda” whom she can marry. Sant Raidasji gives her Lord Krishna’s idol, and Meera immediately falls in love with the Lord. Meera truly believes that the Lord is her husband.

Soon after, her marriage is fixed with Bhoj Raj, the son of Rana Sangha of Chittor. But Meera remained, in mind heart and soul, married to the Lord and never accepted the prince as her husband. Post her marriage her life was constantly engulfed in turmoil, as very few could understand her devotion and faith towards Lord Krishna. She was soft-spoken, mild-mannered, gifted, sweet, and sang with a melodious voice. She was one of the foremost exponents of the Prema Bhakti (Divine Love) and an inspired poetess.

Through this show we attempt to portray Meera’s story as that of an ordinary Rajput princess whose ultimate love and devotion to the Lord led her to question the set norms of the patriarchal society. It is a story relevant even in today’s day and age- as Meera embodies a woman’s true love and her ultimate sacrifice to remain loyal to that love even in the face of social stigma and opposition. A story of unquestioning and pure love.

Main characters

Meera, a rajput princess- born into the Rathod family of Rao Dooda, Meera from her very childhood became enamored by Lord Krishna’s idol. She believed Him to be her husband. Her devotion was so complete that even when she is forced to marry Bhoj Raj the son of Rana Sangha of Chittor, she walks around the holy fire carrying with her the idol of the Lord - almost symbolizing her marriage to Him. Meera occupies indeed a sacred place in the history of Indian thought and culture for her deep and passionate religious devotion, as also for her poetry in which her genius was well revealed, and which was never bereft of beauty in the true sense of the term. Her odes and hymns are so rich, sweet and inspiring, not because of any high rhetoric or dexterity of language, but because they are characterized by a tenderness and simplicity of feeling as genuine outpourings of a heart completely dedicated to God.

Lalita is Meera’s best friend as well as her daasi It is from Lalita that Meera learns about gudda-guddi ki shaadi and wants a gudda of her own. Lalita and Meera were inseparable and their friendship broke all barriers of class and caste. When Meera gets married, Lalita goes with her to her sasural. She was always very protective of Meera.

Jaimal is her 12 year old cousin. He was extremely close to Meera as they had been brought up together. Very loving brother, and would do anything for Meera. Meera too was very attached to him and would go to any lengths to make her cousin happy.He is married to a girl named Mrinal

Veer Kunwari is Meera's mother. A beautiful woman who was extremely loving and kind. She was a dutiful mother and wife and was a favorite in the family. Extremely gentle by nature. Her life revolved around her daughter. Meera was most attached to her mother, and it is her mother who understood Meera the best. She died early when her daughter was about 10 years.

Ratan Singh is Meera's father & Rao Dooda's youngest son, Ratan Singh was also a great warrior like his father. A very loving man, his world revolved around his wife and daughter. He is left shattered when his wife Veer Kunwari dies when Meera is about 10-11yrs old. He is too engaged in fierce battle all through against the Mughals. Meera is his only child and Ratan Singh would do anything for her.

Rao Doodaji is the King of Medatha - he was a brave and powerful king with an imposing personality. Rao Dooda was a true warrior and spent most part of his life fighting wars especially against the Mughals. He was immensely fond of Meera, and would always pamper her. He too was a Krishn Bhakt, and was highly respected even by great saints and gurus who were regular visitor to his palace.

Cast

• Aashika Bhatia as Young Meera

• Aditi Sajwan as Elder Meera

• Gauri Harmit Kaur as Meera's mother(Veer Kunwari)

• Kunal Bakshi as Meera’s dad (Ratan Singh)

• Paras Arora as Meera’s cousin brother Jaimall

• Twara Desai as Meera’s friend Lalita

• Ravi Jankal as Rao Doodaji

• Zeb Khan as Vikramaditya

References

1. ^ http://www.bhargavsaikia.com/2009/07/ndtv-imagines-meera-theme-music.html

The starting song's lyrics:

Chodi sab sakiya suheli Saware gude se kheli Baalpan ki preet shachi Saware ke rung raachi Preet ki sacchi kahani ho gayi Duniya se meera begani ho gayi Sab raj rango se pare Woh prem ki baate kare Mane na jab ki reet ko Dhunde ko mann ke meet ko Woh rista naya rachne lagi Chodi sab sakiya saheli Sawale gude se kheli Baalpan ki preet shachi Saware ke rung raachi

External links

• Meera Official Site