CLASSICAL DANCE : Kuchipudi Recital by Manju Hemamalini Chavali, senior disciple of Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam at PSK - 30th Jan 08

Kuchipudi Recital Manju Hemamalini Chavali classical hindustani dance indian
  • Time : 7:00 pm
  • Program Details : Sequence of items :
  • 1) Gajavadana:
  • This invocatory item is a composition of Sri Purandharadasa composed in the Kannada language. Here the saintpoet takes refuge in that primordial elephant headed God Ganesa. To the delight of mother gowri’ his feet are sought by suras, and naras alike, for, he smashes like a thunderbolt, mountainous impediments obstructing their path. His elephant face signifies the Calmness and Majesty, the Strength and Power, Memory and Discrimination of the intellect. His face is in perfect proportion with his huge belly, demonstrating his Omnipotence: his capacity to hold the entire universe within his being. With implements like the Pasa(noose) and Ankusa (Goad), he holds back difficulties propelling the devout forward and offers the Modaka (Supreme Bliss) as a reward. His mount is the Mushika (Mouse) signifying once ego which the lord keeps under check and uses as a mount for moving through the celestial worlds. Luminous like the morning sun, slayer of the foes of devas, savior in woes, the leader of all celestial beings- Lord Ganesa reigns supreme.
  • Ragam – Hamsadhwani
  • Talam – Adi
  • 2) Astapadi – Sancharadadhara
  • This piece is from the Poet Jayadeva’s ‘Geeta Govindam’ in praise and worship of Lord Krishna. The item is about Radha searching for lord Krishna and finding him in the midst of Gopikas and playing with them. She is anguished could not tolerate the same. But after hearing the melodious Venu nadam of the lord she forgets herself and her anguish and immerses herself in the thoughts about ‘Lord Krishna’. The thoughts about Krishna are teasing her and she expresses the same with her sakhi.
  • Jayadeva describes as if Krishna is playing or engaged with all the Gopikas that are there. One gopika is applying bindi to his forehead, another is applying Chandanam to his body, another gopika is playing with a ball made of flowers and he is also swinging with another gopika in a swing of flowers. Jayadeva also describes that his jewellery is so glittering that it is eliminating all the darkness.
  • Ragam – Ragamalika
  • Talam - Aadi
  • 3) NEELA MEGHA SAREERA (TARANGAM)
  • Composer: Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam
  • Lyrics: Sri Narayana Theertha
  • This is a traditional dance piece in praise of lord Krishna in Kuchipudi form, one of the ten reincarnations of the Supreme Being. This begins with a sloka, a Sanskrit poem that follows a prescribed meter, describing Krishna’s intricate details. Lord Krishna wears the sacred tilakam on his forehead which is covered with the flowing locks of his black hair. His chest holds the kousthubham (what precious gem? ) and his hand hold the melodious flute whose music entrances all who hear it. Krishna black body is adorned with shining jewels and always surrounded by his devotees. His walk mirrors that of a graceful elephant.
  • The piece ends with the dancer balancing and demonstrating various rhythms on the brass plate. It illustrates an artists command over the rhythm through a different medium.
  • The piece entails three episodes in Lord Krishna’s life. The first episode depicts one of the many antics of infant Krishna. Though Krishna is considered an incarnation of the Supreme Being in the human form, he too partakes in many of the human life experiences. Yasoda, his mother, catches him eating mud and she commands him to open his mouth. Forgetting that her son is an incarnation of God, she is surprised, and bewildered to see the entire universe in Krishna’s mouth, an obvious sign of his divinty.
  • In the second episode, a young maiden is going to the well to fetch water while enjoying the scenery of the village. Upon returning to her home she senses something is astray. Upon entering her home, the maiden discovers that all the vessels containing butter have been overturned and emptied. She realizes that this is probably the work of Krishna, and frantically searches for her him. The maiden brings Krishna to his mother, who is busy milking the cows, and scolds Yasoda for not keeping an eye on her own child. Yasoda ties Krishna to a heavy stone so that she can continue her chores while watching him. However, when Yasoda steps out for a few seconds, Krishna manages to unravel the ropes, once again illustrating his divinity.
  • In the third episode, a maiden is going to the market to vend butter. Krishna sees this as a perfect opportunity to play a prank with his friends. He tells his boisterous friends to keep silent and manages to blindfold the maiden and share the butter with his friends.
  • Ragam: Ragamaalika
  • Talam: Adi
  • 4) Lekha
  • Bhama kalapam is a great romantic visual repertoire of the Kuchipudi art and this is written by Saint Siddendra Yogi, the founder of Kuchipudi. As it has only 3 main characters (Satya Bhama, Sri Krishna and Madhavi) and a small subject, this is called as kalapam. Satya Bhama plays the main role in this.
  • Bhama Kalapam, the lyrical opera describes the agony of Satyabhama, the proud and passionate queen of Sri Krishna. Bhama Kalapam remains one of the most beautiful examples of Telugu literature which includes Yakshagana type of ‘daruvulu’, lyrics and enactment of this role remains the supreme test of every Kuchipudi dancer.
  • Lekha is an extract from Bhama Kalapam. In this Satyabhama expresses her feelings of separation from Krishna. Those feelings which are otherwise supposed to be sweet and memorable are making her feel suffocated and uncomfortable because she is away from Krishna. So she writes a letter to him pleading to return to her soon and send it to him through Madhavi. While Madhavi leaves to deliver the letter to Krishna, Satyabhama feels that all the omens are favourable for the return of Krishna.
  • Raaga – Aarabhi
  • Talam - aadi
  • 5) Sivashtakam:
  • Sivashtakam is a piece in praise of Lord Siva. This piece is a “bhujangatraprayattam”, a piece in which the lyrical pattern flows like the movement of a snake. The dance in this piece is also choreographed in this manner. The piece describes Lord Siva as the protector of the entire universe who has no birth or death. Lord Siva is adorned with a garland of skulls and snakes on his neck, and the river Ganga on his head. He is the husband of the Goddess Parvati and resides on Mt. Kailash. As his weapon, Lord Siva has the trident and as his vehicle, he uses the bull. Those who pray to Lord Siva with great devotion will attain salvation (moksha).
  • Raga: Mohana
  • Tala: Khanda Chapu
CLASSICAL DANCE : Kuchipudi Recital by Manju Hemamalini Chavali, senior disciple of Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam at PSK - 30th Jan 08 CLASSICAL DANCE : Kuchipudi Recital by Manju Hemamalini Chavali, senior disciple of Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam at PSK - 30th Jan 08 Reviewed by rohit malik on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Rating: 5

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