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 The quintessence of Krishna - Meenakshi Gautam e-mail: ajolitai@rediffmail.com November 4, 2024 Love is divine and in the divine we seek love. Indian classical traditions have always professed about seeking divinity. The butter stealer has always stolen our hearts and who better than the gopikas to tell us about him, our beloved Krishna. It is this picture of Krishna painted through the discernments of the three principal women in his life. The deity who forms the crux of the dance recital 'Krishnapriya' literally means one who is cherished by Krishna; or one in whose heart Krishna resides. But is there one who is not 'smitten' by him. In the choreographer's own words she claims that Krishna is purposely not brought on stage, so that he does not steal our gaze. Anita Sharma, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner, wove magic with pure classical Sattriya dance moves on a sultry evening in Madhab Kalakshetra on 29th August 2024 leaving the audience spellbound. For her, this project is a cherished labour of love.  Photo: Manasdas Photography The tale of 'Krishnapriya' delineates the story of Krishna's life through the eyes of the three women who occupied centrestage in his life. They are namely Yashoda, Rukmini and Radha. Anita Sharma, as Yasoda, blessed to have raised the mischievous Nandagopal as her own son, though her womb did not bear him. Yasodha is well aware of Krishna's celestial powers, his valour, but a mother's desire is to keep her son close to her, in Gokul forever.  The love of Yasodha was the love of a mother for her son and juxtaposed to it we have the love of Rukmini. Her beauty as well as her virtues were known to all. And so was love for Krishna whom she desired to marry. Her love was pure and deep as her ego but can anyone withstand the charm of the blue bodied flute player? In front of Krishna, her ego and pride dissolves and she is wedded to him forever both in mind and soul. Noted Sattriya dancer Prerona Bhuyan as Rukmini, rendered a delicate performance with finesse. The audience truly was transported to an enchanted world of love, romance and divinity.  But one who truly had Krishna, the cosmic balancer, in her thrall is Radha. The bhakti rasa, the ultimate truth of the relationship that Krishna shared with her, has been described in innumerable ways and forms. Psychologist Aarhie Kaushik as Radha does traverse the much-trodden path with a grip on her form, medium and character. The concept and choreography were Anita Sharma's and script and music was by Bhaskar Jyoti Ojha. One has to definitely praise his commendable efforts. Music in such performances plays a crucial and pivotal role. Abhinaya Society's 'Krishnapriya' in collaboration with Sattriya Kendra Guwahati (Sangeet Natak Akademi) truly transported us to the realm of the sublime and celestial where the love of three women helped recreate the magic of Krishna. |
