SAMBHAVAMI YUGE YUGE - PART 1

Sri Krishna Jananam (2008)

Sri Krishna Jananam, a production commemorating the 40th anniversary of Bharatakalanjali, premiered for ISKCON, Bangalore for their annual Festival.

Produced by Bharatakalanajli with partial funding from ISKCON
Artistic direction & production co-ordination: V.P.Dhananjayan
Choreography: Prof. A. Janardhanan, artiste and former Principal of Kalakshetra, Chennai
Music composition: Mysore S. Rajaram, Former Director, Kalakshetra, Chennai
Dancers: Bharatakalanjali Artistes & Graduates from Kalakshetra. Chennai

Brief Synopsis

Dhyana Slokas

Episode 1

Mother Earth, overburdened with the evil activities of various kings, approaches Lord Brahma and informs him of these evil forces. Lord Brahma accompanied by lord Shiva and other demigods, decided to approach Lord Vishnu, the Protector. Lord Vishnu promises to appear on earth to annihilate the demons, protect the devotees and establish righteousness. He informs them that the incarnation will take place in the Yadu Dynasty.
"Paritranaya........... Sambhavami Yuge Yuge"

Episode 2

The leader of the Yadu Dynasty is king Ugrasena, ruler of Mathura. His son Kamsa is a demonic ruler who gives his sister Devaki in marriage to a pious prince Vasudeva.. As per custom, the bride is taken in a procession to the groom's residence. Kamsa who loves his sister Devaki very dearly personally drives the chariot. Suddenly, an ethereal voice "ASAREERI" coming from the sky informs him that the eighth child of Devaki is destined to kill him and that he is a fool to rejoice over his sister's wedding. Furious, Kamsa immediately takes out his sword to kill his sister. Her husband Vasudeva pleads for mercy and promises to hand over all their children to him as soon as they are born. Kamsa relents as Vasudeva is known to keep his word.

Episode 3

Kamsa's darbar – Sage Narada informs Kamsa that the Gods had a meeting with Lord Vishnu and that Lord Vishnu promised to be born as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva and that child will be his enemy. Kamsa immediately throws Devaki and Vasudeva into jail. He also imprisons his own father and declares himself the king. Kamsa kills the first six children born to Devaki.

Episode 4

Time has come for Lord Vishnu to appear on earth. Seeing the radiant Devaki, lord Brahma accompanied by Lord Shiva, Indra and demigods secretly visits her in jail to praise the Lord and wish her well.

Episode 5

Group dance - The gopis of Nanda gokula celebrate the advent of Lord Krishna.

Episode 6

In jail - Lord Vishnu appears before Devaki and Vasudeva in all his glory and tells them what to do. Vasudeva takes the new born baby to Gokulam and brings back the girl child born to Yasoda.

Episode 7

On Vasudeva’s return back into the jail, hearing the cries of the newborn child, the guards inform Kamsa.

Episode 8

Devaki pleads with her brother to spare the girl child. Kamsa is adamant and when he tries to kill the baby, she flies to the sky and appears as Durga, advises Kamsa not to unnecessarily kill children – as the one who is to kill him is already safe somewhere else.

Episode 9

Kamsa is repentant for having killed his sister's children mercilessly and begs pardon of Devaki and Vasudeva and sets them free.

(End of Part 1 - "Sri Krishna Jananam" of "Sambhavami Yuge Yuge")

CAST
Sutradhari (Dancer): GAYATRI
Bhoodevi (as a cow): VIJNA
Lord Brahma: SHIJITH NAMBIAR
Lord Siva: UTTIYA
Lord Indra & other Gods: UMESH
Kamsa: GOPU
Devaki: DIVYA
Vasudeva: SHAFEEQ
Ugrasena: UMESH
Court Dancers: 1) KEERTI, JISHA, PARVATI, VARSHA, ATHENA,GAYATRI
2) KEERTI, JISHA, VIJNA, VARSHA
Sage Narada: AJEESH
Citizens (6 female dancers): KEERTI, JISHA, PARVATI, VARSHA, ATHENA, GAYATRI
Sri Krishna (as Lord Vishnu): HARI
[Assuming the form of a human child]
Guards (2 male dancers): 1) UMESH [Charioteer]
2) UTTIYO, SHIJITH NAMBIAR
Yamuna (4 female dancers): KEERTI, JISHA, VIJNA, ATHENA
Finale (Mangalam): VIJNA, GAYATRI, ATHENA, PARVATI
ACCOMPANISTS
Nattuvangam: Shanta Dhananjayan
Vocal: Sai Shankar, & Aditi
Mridangam: Ramesh Babu
Flute: Sunil Kumar
Violin: Eashwar Ramakrishnan
Maddalam, Khol & Tabla: Jaya Sankar

Choreographer's Note

I deem it a privilege to choreograph this "Sri Krishna Jananam" for Bharatakalanjali in commemoration of their 40th year of funding, along with the artists of Bharata Kalanjali and few of my students graduated from Kalakshetra. The great music composer Sri. Mysore S.Rajaram (Former Director, Kalakshetra, Chennai) and Smt. Vatasala Vedantham had approached me earlier to produce this dance drama independently, but working with an established Institution like The Dhananjayans' Bharatakalanjali, Chennai, makes it comfortable and rewarding.

This Naatya presentation is based on verses mainly taken from the great epic "Srimad Bhagavatam". The story illustrates the cherished belief of 'Bhakti'. Verses compiled and music composed by Mysore S. Rajaram falls under strict classical mode and in the traditions of Kalakshetra dance dramas.

I have to mention that this presentation has been no easy task. The Samskrita sloka (verses) from Srimad Bhaagavatham are abstract and highly philosophical. Translating the verses into visual form through the language of 'naatya' is a challenge. Added to that, one has to be able to transfer the feeling of sanctity and divinity of the verses to the audience. It is my humblest wish that the audience received the production in the spirit of Bhakti in which it was conceived and created.

I found it extremely difficult to get all artistes together for a smooth flow of rehearsals –the most vital aspect of a successful production- however freelance artistes like Gayatri Balagurunathan, Pramila Ramesh, Gopukiran & Divya Sivasundar came to my rescue to learn others parts as well and teach the respective parts to the other participants.

Sai Sankar (Kalakshetra) who learned the music composition from Rajaram has been extremely co-operative and helpful in choreographing the production during the summer days. Shanta Dhananjayan graciously took over the responsibility of conducting and perfecting the mood and movements of the artistes spending much time rehearsing with them. She has been working on the costume side as well, to bring an overall aesthetic value to my work.

On the whole I personally feel this production will have an appeal to the connoisseur audience and the others will look into the angles of Bhakti Bhaava embedded in such themes of immortal spiritual values. And particularly Sri Krishna's stories in any art forms give everlasting pleasure to all, physically, mentally and spiritually, the ultimate aim of 'naatya'.

- Prof. A. Janardhanan

Artistic director's note

I am very happy to produce Sri Krishna Jananam for ISCON, Bangalore and thank them for their partial funding of the production. Having choreographed and produced nearly 35 productions of International acclaim under the Bharatakalanjali banner, we are happy and privileged to have Prof. A. Janardhanan (Gurubhai and my Guru Chandu Panikkar Asaan's talented son) my junior contemporary in Kalakshetra and a versatile artist of high aesthetic quality in whatever he does. Having worked with the legendary Rukminidevi Amma, and taking lead roles in her productions and also doing choreography for couple of productions for Kalakshetra, choreographing this Sri Krishna Jananam is a child's play for such an experienced choreographer.

The music has been already set for this dance drama by S. Rajaram in chaste Carnatic traditional style falling in line with the Kalakshetra format. So, as the artistic Director I did not have the inclination or opportunity to lay my hands in the already set musical format.

We have engaged only professionally experienced artistes of very high caliber to ensure a quality presentation of a high standard. My confident conviction is that the underlying Bhakti Bhaava or the Krishna consciousness will keep the audience engrossed.

- V.P.Dhananjayan, Bharatakalanjali