Beloved stories on stage

Dance Ballet ‘Alokaye Sri Balakrishnan' traced the various stories in the life of Srikrishna.

A scene from 'Alokaye Sri Balakrishnan'

S rikrishna Leela Tharangini is one of outstanding works of Narayana Teertha that many dancers follow and present as part of their repertoire. The Tarangini is the longest dance-drama in the Sanskrit language with literary graces. This is a condensed version of the tenth skanda (chapter) of Sreemad Bhagavatam.

This show held at Ravindra Bharathi last week was choreographed, conducted and directed by noted danseuse and Hamsa Awardee Usha Gayatri, sticking to the Kuchipudi idiom. The occasion was the presentation of an award by the Nritya Kinnera, noted dance organisation, to Sanskrit scholar, poet and Ubhaya Vedanta scholar K.V. Raghavacharyulu, whose five volumes of treatise of Paduka Saharam is a work to cherish. This award was named after another scholar, the late Maddali Subba Rao, who wrote umpteen books on Ramana Maharshi and his works. The function was presided over by principal secretary, religious endowments, K.V. Ramanachari, IAS and son of Raghavacharyulu. The award was presented by Pushpagiri Sankaracharya Vidya Nrusimha Bharati on behalf of Nritya Kinnera.

The ballet, titled

Alokaye Sri Balakrishnam , was composed of a select number of Tharangams. This dealt with Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna from his birth to Kamsa Vadha. The natya part was full of jatis. The sequences presented on the occasion were mostly the childhood deeds of Srikrishna in myriad forms: the way he stole the butter from churning pots; teasing of the gopikas; lifting of Mandhara Giri (mountain) to save his ilk from a hailstorm;

kaleeya mardnam and stealing the garments of the bathing gopikas.

Surabhi theatre technicians provided their skills in creating the backdrop and scenic texture to the drama. It was a thing to watch, like Krishna's fight with the huge snake Kaliya underwater. Baladitya as Mahavishnu and again as grown-up Krishna, Vineetha in the roles of Lakshmi and Durga, Aditya Bhagavan as Kamsa who Krishna annihilates, and Sahiti Reddi as Devaki Devi gave apt performances. Gowthamy played Kaliya the large hooded cobra. Abhirami was Yasoda. The cynosure roles of Srikrishna of different ages were presented by Sugandha, Iswarya, Kaustubha and Baladitya.

There were two dozen artistes making appearances according the plan of narration. Srivalli Sarma's vocal support with P.R.C. Sarma on mridangam, Pavan Singh on violin, Venkatesh on flute and Sudhakar on veena went well with the production. Lighting effects were by Surabhi Rayalu.