Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on the Convocation Drama Casting Monday, October 16, 2000 After the interview, Swami came to the Ganesh portico. He looked at His wrist as if to see time. Then to a student… Swami: It is already 4.05 pm, Brindavan boys have not come. Student: (He checked the time in his watch.) Yes, Swami. They may be on the way. Sri Sathya Sai in the Sai Kulwant Hall at Prasanthi Nilayam Swami went further and sat on His chair. He inquired about the teachers who are doing the security duty in the fourth block. He also called the Brindavan Warden, and asked him about the students who are going to play different roles in the Convocation Drama. Few of the students came forward. Swami: (To Prof. Anil Kumar) The drama has roles of grandfather, father and a grandson. There are also scenes of Markandeya (Markandeya is an ancient sage from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a devotee of both Shiva and Vishnu and is mentioned in a number of stories from the Puranas. The Markandeya Purana especially, comprises a dialogue between Markandeya and Sage Jaimini, and a number of chapters in the Bhagavata Purana are dedicated to his conversations and prayers. In the drama, the episode of Markandeya, Shiva and Yama was to be depicted.) and Dhurva (Dhruva is a devotee of Lord Vishnu and the son of Utthanapaada. His story is recorded in the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana.). (To Dr. Chatterjee, Faculty Member in the Department of English at Swami’s University) How many scenes? Teacher: Six scenes, Swami. Swami: Arishadvargas (Six bad qualities in man). Give the grandfather role to Anil Kumar. (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Will you do? Prof. A. K.: Yes, Swami. Swami: Grandfather is a bad man. Prof. A. K.: Then I don’t want to do that role. Swami: No, he is good man. His grandson is always near him. I am not involved in the selections (of the students for the different roles in the Convocation Drama). They (teachers from both the campuses) only selected. Swami said that they should not feel that Swami is partial to any one campus in selecting the roles and hence teachers are selecting. #sathyasai #saibhakta