People from Udupi and Manipal — especially lovers of literature — were treated to an exhilarating recital of the episode ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharana’, from the epic poem ‘Gadugina Bharata’ composed by the great Kannada classical poet Kumaravyasa, at the Gangubai Hangal Auditorium here on Saturday.
The programme ‘Akshayambara’ was organised by the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Chair on Indian Literature at the Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities (MCPH), a constituent of Manipal University.
According to a press release issued by the MCPH here, artiste Chandrashekhara Kedlaya gave a typically sublime recital of the episode, modulating his voice between the harshness of the situation and the final plaintiveness of Draupadi’s calling to the Lord Krishna for help.
This recital was interspersed with the commentary of scholar Prabhakar Joshy, who interpreted the episode in a lively manner, explaining the reasons why Kumaravyasa was considered a literary genius. According to Dr. Joshy, Kumaravyasa’s genius consisted of his interwoven use of metaphor, allegory and moral thought.
The dice game is full of ethical dilemmas and is centred on the anguish of Draupadi, a wife and woman, who is in total shock and helpless at her circumstance.
The position of women calls all of morality into question, as none of the elders choose to help her — only a god intervenes. Mr. Kedlaya concluded the recitation with an impassioned call to Lord Krishna.
Noted scholar Ashadevi spoke on — how has the role of women changed today? She noted that poet aesthetics and morality cannot be separated, and concluded that we can best celebrate Kumaravyasa’s genius by questioning him, not blindly following, or praising him, the release added.
