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Reliving the sixties

SPECTACULAR Sri Krishna Parijatham is a dazzling theatre experience in the ancient Kuchipudi dance form

This year, the annual Iskcon dance festival, Krishna Shrungar, revives the great and memorable operas of the Sixties. The inaugural ballet, “Sri Krishna Parijatham”, is a dazzling theatre experience in the ancient Kuchipudi dance form. Choreographed by the renowned exponent of this genre, Vempati Chinna Satyam, it unveils all the riches of a hoary epic whose appeal will never fade. The story may be as old as the hills. Rivalry and jealousy between two women who love the same man. But, the Vempati magic transforms it to a divine theme, since the protagonist here is none other than the eighth avatara of Vishnu himself. With just four characters on stage, he relates a delightful narrative of the jealousy between the two consorts of Krishna – Rukmini and Satyabhama – fuelled by the intrigues of a playful Narada. This mundane topic becomes a sublime theme by the revelation of the true nature of love that surrenders rather than takes pride in possession. The contrasting emotions of Rukmini and Satyabhama towards the same object of devotion form the subject of this opera which was one of the earliest productions of the Kuchipudi Art Academy that Vempati Chinna Satyam founded in 1963.

Based on a story from the Harivamsha Purana, the dance drama takes the audience to the sacred garden in Dwaraka where Rukmini is displaying her intense devotion to Krishna. Narada steps in and gives a parijatha flower to Him to be presented to the one who loves Him most. Krishna unhesitatingly offers it to Rukmini. This pleases Narada, who is himself a great rishi. Yet, he proceeds to Satyabhama's abode to tell her that her lord preferred Rukmini to her. This revelation has the desired effect. Mad with jealousy, Satyabhama whose love is mere self-glorification, vents her anger against Krishna who finally pacifies her by giving her an entire tree of parijatha flowers. When these flowers fall into Rukmini's garden, she calmly collects them for her puja. This is a simple tale where Rukmini proves that there is no place for ego or jealousy in one's devotion to God. And, Narada's mission of reforming Satyabhama is fulfilled.

Rukmini Devi's magnum opus “Ramayanam” needs no introduction. Nor does the poignant story of the prince of Ayodhya. When Kaikeyi banishes him to the forest for 14 long years, and kills her husband Dasharatha too in the process, audiences have never failed to wipe a tear however many times they have heard this story or seen this stunning production from Kalakshetra. With its rich music composed by Mysore Vasudevacharya to the moving slokas of the Valmiki Ramayana, this is considered to be “the cream of the Ramayana series” according to senior gurus of Kalakshetra. In fact, this episode marks the end of Rama's happy childhood with his parents. From now onwards, it is a story of his travails with Sita and Lakshmana in the forests of Kishkinda and Dandakaranya.

In fact, the next episode to be staged in this festival is “Sabari Moksham”, which easily ranks among the most dramatic of the whole series with Sita's abduction by Ravana. Rukmini Devi's genius interpreted this entire occurrence, beginning with Surpanaka's sly overtures to the two brothers, her subsequent humiliation and Ravana's revenge which ended with his forcibly carrying away Sita to Lanka after, as a prelude to Sabari obtaining moksham from Vishnu Himself. Produced in 1965 after a gap of five years during which time the music composer died, this opera is set against the backdrop of his grandson Rajaram's music which is rich in rare melakarta ragas and beautiful swaras that were his forte, being an mridanga artiste. His music has moved audiences to weep with Rama when he sees the jewels dropped by Sita during her flight to Lanka. Despite its tragic overtones, “Sabari Moksham” ends on a majestic note with Rama giving His benediction to his most ardent devotee.

Krishna Shrungar will be staged in the Iskcon temple auditorium on Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, on November 27, 28 and 29.

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