Potpourri of varied emotions

The State Department of Culture organised a classical dance programme by G Padmaja Reddy and her disciples at Ravindra Bharathi recently. The programme started with the presentation of ‘Sri Krishna Parijatham’, a Kuchipudi dance drama which was brought into prominence by Late Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam.

The ballet portrayed the conflict of unrest and envy with the feelings of devotion and possession with Satyabhama over the thought process of Lord Krishna who is omnipresent with love for all. The theme of the ballet was taken from the Harivamsa Purana, traditionally ascribed to Veda Vyasa and originally written between the 12th and 14th century AD.

Satyabhama, being the most possessive among Lord Krishna's eight queens, is envious of Rukmini and as usual it’s Sage Narada who creates a unique situation for Krishna by bringing from heaven a single Parijatham flower and presents it to Lord Krishna when he is with Rukmini. When Satyabhama finds out that Lord Krishna presented the flower to Rukmini, she is enraged.

Satyabhama has a tiff about the flower with Lord Krishna who pacifies her, and promises to bring the Parijatham tree itself for her. Lord Krishna does bring the tree and plants it in Satyabhama's backyard. Satyabhama is very pleased with the action of her Lord. She feels happy not knowing if she really got the ‘flowers’ of the tree.

The music for the ballet was very melodious and Padmaja Reddy as Satyabhama was efficient enough in depicting the different moods of anger, envy, love, possession and forgiveness in her dance. This was followed by a wonderful dance by students of the Pranav Institute of Dance. Vanya, Vamshika, Rohita, Suma, Teju, Rishika, Preetika, Kyati and Yoga gave an excellent presentation of Mudras, Bhava and balance to Thillana.