Beauty, ego, and love are common threads in almost every story ever written. Locals can see these themes written in a way they may not have experienced before at a traditional Indian dance drama – Parijatham – at Gungahlin College Theatre on 6 November.
Performed by the Sadhanalaya School of Arts, this local company has been mastering the techniques of traditional dance, including Kuchipudi, since 2011. The Canberra school is owned and run by Vanaja Dasika, niece of renowned Kuchipudi guru, Vempati Chinna Satyam.
Choreographed 1959, Parijatham is the first of 15 dance dramas choreographed by the late guru. Now his niece hopes to reignite the dance style’s spark through the drama’s revival.
The play follows Lord Krishna and his two wives, Queen Satyabhama and Queen Rukmini.
“Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology is known for his beautiful flute playing and is a bit of a ladies’ man, often found among the milkmaids,” smiles Suhasini Sumithra, who plays Queen Rukmini.
A wise and mischievous sage divinity, Narada shakes things up. He believes that Satyabhama’s ego is getting in the way and making her try and keep the lord for herself. To humble her and show her there is a universal love for Krishna, the divinity instructs the lord to give a beautiful flower, the Parijatham, to Rukmini.
“The symbolism is there is universal love for Krishna, and he can only be gained through pure devotion. Forget about your materialistic and earthly ways, devotion is the only way to reach him,” Sumithra says.
Although the dance comes from stories in Hindu Mythology, people from all backgrounds will be able to enjoy the complex moves, music, colourful costumes. Dancers go through rigorous training, some even entwine their toes and dance on the sides of their feet.
“I’m not a religious person, what has drawn me to classical Indian dance is the cultural connection because I grew up out of India, “
Traditionally it was more common to see men on the stage performing, now it is mainly women. The school welcomes anyone from any background who is interested in mastering the techniques of traditional Indian dance to join their classes.
“My dance teacher wants to promote it in its purest form, a lot of dancers are coming to her to get that discipline. “
See Parijatham at Gungahlin College Theatre, Sunday 6 November 2.30pm and 5.30pm; trybooking.com
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