Expressing a range of emotions

Kuchipudi recital

Bhamakalapam is one of the most popular Kuchipudi pieces. Based on Satyabhama, it depicts the tale of her estrangement from Lord Krishna and her union with him ultimately.

In a philosophical sense, it talks of one’s complete surrender to the Lord. The piece begins with Satyabhama haughtily making her entrance into the Sabhe and meeting a sakhi — Madhuri.

A dialogue soon begins between the two and Satayabhama talks of her sorrow of losing her lord.
 Madhuri sympathetically asks her who her lord is? Satyabhama, overcome with shyness, reveals the name of Krishna by giving a series of hints. This dialogue is extremely hilarious with Madhuri going wrong at every instance and ultimately guessing that she is Lord Krishna's wife.

Satyabhama, miserable with desire due to the ‘Panch Banas’ of Manmatha, describes instances of her life with Lord Krishna. The description of her marriage to the lord was wonderfully portrayed by Suhasini where the joy a woman feels on her wedding day was emulated through her performance. Unable to find the lord, Satyabhama writes a letter to him and asks Madhuri to deliver it.

Veena Murthy Vijay, Suhasini’s guru, played the part of Madhuri. About Suhasini, she said, “It requires a lot of experience to be able to portray the role of Satyabhama. She and I have worked to the best of our capabilities to do justice to it. In today’s day and age where the strong wind from the West is blowing away our culture, I would like to congratulate Suhasini’s parents in providing her with encouragement to continue dancing.”

After the dance-drama, Suhasini enthralled audience with Simhanandini, an old form of temple dance about Kathyayini.

Kathyayini was believed to be seated on a lion. The highlight of the dance was the depiction of the lion on the dance floor in 128 beats by Suhasini. A rubber sheet was stuck on a part of the dance floor, which was covered with flour to aid in her depiction of the lion. She danced the last 128 beats on the rubber mat.    

Leela Ramanujam sang wonderfully at the event and the abinaya was in perfect sync with the modulation in her voice. Special mention needs to be given to the mridanga player Ravi, who was delightful. The flautist Jairaj too was appreciated by all. They also had Krishna on the rhythm pads and Surya playing the Nattuvangam.