Recreating the divine stories of Lord Krishna

Krishna Janmashtami at Shilparamam on August 14 was celebrated starting with an evening Kathak performance by Yashaswini Shivaraman from Bangalore. She started with “Ganapathy Murath” in raag “Malkauns” penned by Ibrahim Shah of Bijapur as a prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswathi. Unlike Hindu poets, Adil Shah compares the two deities to nature and sees the almighty around us bestowing us with his grace and wisdom.

A truly Islamic patronage to the spiritually traditional art of Hinduism by a follower of the Sufi faith. “Phalanetra Hara Pinaki”, is a composition in “Ek Taal”, which is an ode to the cosmic dancer Shiva. The music here is of the Drupad style, which was before Khayal evolved in Hindustani classical. Sung by Pandit Shankar Shanbaugh, the original choreography is by Maya Rao. The various names of Shiva are strung together with melody and embellished with rhythmic patterns bringing out the benevolent aspects of Lord Shiva.

Bhajan “Sri Nanda Nanda” in Mishra Kapi is by Vaishnava poet Surdas, who though physically blind was spiritually awakened. The song describes the beauties of Krishna seen through the eyes of the Gopis and his devotees. The Sthayi- Bhava of the poetry is Krishna’s dance on the banks of the Yamuna and his wanderings amidst freshly bloomed flowers through the forest glades. Tarana in raag Durbari was a technical number showing Persian influence. Delicate footwork by Yashaswini embellished the composition.

The next presentation was by Nrityodaya Kuchipudi Dance Academy. The students presented items by Prasanna Rani. An opening Vinayaka fusion item was followed by the “Tarangam” of Narayana Teertha requiring nimble footwork, “Krishnam Kalaya Sakhi” was well enacted. “Manduka Shabdam” about Mandodari and Ravana.

Krishna Ashtakam splendidly depicted the highlights of Lord Krishna, “Koluvathivi Ranga Sai” depicting the brilliant glory of the reclining form of the Lord on Adisesha, the serpent vahana with his consort was picture perfect.

“Govardhana Giri Dhara”, which is about the terrible storm created by Indra in Vrindavan necessitating the lifting of the Govardhana hill to provide shelter, succour and comfort to all the terrified people and cows, “Jaya Janardhana” aptly presented Lord Krishna's attributes and stories on his birthday enthralling the audience.

By Anna Rao Gangavalli