Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
Learn the Lingo
Photo: Akhilesh Kumar
Trepidation Aalekhya Punjala shows an aspect of bhayanaka rasa during a Kuchipudi performance.
Dance
Bhayanaka rasa: One of the navarasas (Learn the Lingo, 23 November 2007), bhayanaka is the sentiment of fear. Among situations commonly taken up for interpretation in classical dance, bhayanaka is often found afflicting the evil doers when their nemesis is at hand. For example, in the story of Krishna, his evil uncle, King Kamsa, is filled with fear when he hears that Krishna, who he thought had died as a baby, is alive and returning to Mathura. Similarly, Hiranyakashyapu is full of fear at the sight of the pillar turning into Narasimha. Sometimes fear arises from the thought of committing a wrong. Ram, for example, who is considered the epitome of right conduct, Maryada Purushottam, might be shown as being fearful at the thought of committing a sin.
Sita, on realising the sanyasi before her is actually the evil demon king Ravana, also experiences bhayanaka rasa. Another instance of bhayanaka rasa occurs when Ajamila, the hero of the dance drama Ajamilopakhyanam, written by Maharaja Swati Tirunal, faces the messengers of Yama, the God of Death. Having committed various sins during his life, he is deemed fit to pass into the realm of Yama and not heaven. However, Ajamila has a son, born to him in the heyday of his debauchery. Perhaps as a subconscious reminder of his youth, passed in piety, Ajamila named his son Narayana. Now, when the messengers of Yama hover about his deathbed to take away his soul, Ajamila is filled with fear and calls out to his son. The utterance of the name Narayana, though intended for his mortal son, awakens the compassion of Lord Narayana, whom Ajamila worshipped in youth. Thus the messengers of Yama are turned away, and Ajamila’s soul is taken to the abode of Narayana.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
