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 Poothana Moksham in Nangiarkoothu - Pavithra Srinivasan e-mail: welcomeculture@gmail.com April 28, 2025 Among the delightful pastimes of Shri Krishna, the story of a dreadful asura woman Poothana, who instantly agrees to the cruel command of her king Kamsa to kill all new-born children in the country by breast feeding them with poisoned milk is a very significant story. It was this fascinating story that was brought to life by seasoned artiste Kalamandalam M. Jayalakshmi in the traditional Nangiarkoothu art form, presented by Bharata Kalanjali as a part of their Programs for Professional Artistes series, at the SPASTN TEACH auditorium, Chennai, on April 18, 2025. Nangiarkoothu is a cultural wonder of Kerala with a legacy spanning around 1500 years. This ancient art form is rooted in the rich heritage of Kutiyattam and performed by proficient women of the Chakkyar community. Jayalakshmi's eyes and hasta mudras moved with an eloquence that made every sequence fall into perfect rhythm. The skill in her technique built up several nuances of the plot with layers of emotions that were deeply connected and evocative. Transformation from an awkward looking asura to a beautiful woman who charms the people in Gokula, wicked stances in killing several infants, dilemma she goes through to kill such an exceptionally lovely baby due to an overwhelming feeling of motherly love, and finally the nerve exploding death that devours her when infant Krishna sucks not the poisoned milk from her breast, but her very life much to her horror, were all weaved in and out admirably.  With an unhurried pace, her movements were in synchrony with the outstanding ensemble seated behind her, played ingeniously by Kalamandalam Jayaraj and Kalamandalam Rahul on the mizhavu drum, Kalanilayam Rajan on the edakka, and thalam by Kalamandalam Dharshana. Samskritam story lines with English translation on the side screen for every scene, the red and white costume, decorated head gear, and colorful makeup by Kalamandalam Amrutha, added to the visual treat. In the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavan Shri Krishna says: यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् |4.7| yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham yadā yadā—whenever; hi—certainly; dharmasya—dharma ; glāniḥ—decline; bhavati—is; bhārata—O descendant of Bharatas (Arjuna); abhyutthānam—increase everywhere; adharmasya—of adharma; tadā- then ; ātmānam—myself; sṛijāmi—manifest; aham—I O Bharata (Arjuna)! Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness everywhere, at that time I manifest Myself. Shri Krishna gave moksha to Poothana because she approached him like a mother, and as Bala Krishna, the Supreme thus protected the people of Mathura and the neighbouring kingdoms from further losing their loved ones.  Bharatanatyam dancer Pavithra Srinivasan is based out of Chennai and Coimbatore. She is an awardee of The Madras Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, and Bharat Kalachar. Pavithra is currently working on her life project Gita Natyam, that brings the essence of each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita in Natya, and as educational films. |
