Navajanardana – Identity

NAVAJANARDANA – IDENTITY

Curated By Leela Samson

Bhamakalapam/Navajanardana parijatham, is a story about Sri Krishna and Satyabhama. Satyabhama is a distinct prabandha nayika (key female protagonist) in Telugu literature. The role of Satyabhama as Krishna's consort counters the tradition of featuring Radha as the companion, which is prevalent in the other regions. In Nattuva mela tradition, the Bhamakalapam was performed for nine nights outside the temple and thus was called Navajanardana Parijatham. Earlier it was performed for nine consecutive nights at Kunti Madhava Temple by Late Smt. Pendyela Satyabhama and artistes from the same family of Pithapuram.

Navajanardana parijatham is mainly practiced by the female artistes of East and West Godavari districts. Prabandham is a text featuring musical compositions. Navajanardana parijatham is a 'Sringara Divya Drisya Sravya Prabandham' says Nataraja Ramakrishna. Nataraja Ramakrishna collected more than ten manuscripts from traditional dancers. Some manuscripts texts are regularly performed. Navajanardana parijatham is different from the other kalapams, both in its general approach to the subject as well as its performance traditions. It is a madhura lasya prabandham. The presentation and the arrangement of Daruvus in Navajanardana parijatham by Nataraja Ramakrishna have made this prabandha a fantastic aesthetic journey for the artistes as well as to the audience. 

Image Courtesy - Kalakrishna

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