By: Dwarika Mohan Misra
How relevant is Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda for devotees of Sai Baba? Lucknow-born Guru Pali Chandra, Zurich-based kathak exponent, has reinvented and reinterpreted the 12th-century Sanskrit work as inspiration in Bhakti literature and for those facing relationship challenges. She reveals how the poetic work relates to the environment, with Krishna as a tree and Gopis as creepers clinging to him, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all life and matter as they coexist in concord emblematic of Lord Sainath.
At Sai Dattatreya Ashram. Bhubaneswar every year, we arrange the Kathakali performance of Gita Govinda. Even at Shirdi public recitals are organized to remind Sai devotees of Dasganu Maharaj’s kirtans.
A simple, relatable, love story — that is what Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda is. Spread over 12 sargas, chapters, and 24 prabandhas, sections, this Sanskrit text tells us the story of Radha and Krishna’s love, set on the banks of River Yamuna. One of the reasons why Krishna is known as Jagat Guru, the Guru of the world, is that each moment of his life is a teaching. It is apparent even in this 12th-century text.
“Through Radha and Krishna’s love story, the Gita Govinda illustrates that love does not mean just being together. It means understanding, trusting, and believing in each other. And most importantly, empowering each other,” says Guru Pali Chandra, who along with her team has rendered the entire Gita Govinda for posterity. The text that’s long inspired literature, music, and paintings, and has been performed in Odissi and Mohiniyattam, is now in Kathak.
“Gita Govinda is all about Keli, amorous sport; viraha, separation; and kaivalya, detachment, and liberation,” says Chandra. It essays the relationship between Krishna, Radha, and Gopis and reveals asta nayika, the heroine’s eight moods. As fiction, it brings to life love, distraction, jealousy and anger, repentance and forgiveness. Above all, it asserts the importance of venting emotions by all genders. “Boys should feel free to cry, too, as Krishna does in Gita Govinda,” she explains.
The relationship between Krishna and Gopis may be bhakti rasa, as Paramatman and Jivatma.
Chandra says she prefers interpreting the story at the human level, with Krishna and Radhika as two lovers smitten with each other. When Krishna gets distracted by Gopis, an annoyed, jealous Radhika begins to feel that the moon and sandal paste that cool the body is now burning her; she wants to destroy whatever she sees, but soon realizes that this is the effect of her separation from Krishna who is now cavorting with Gopis in Vrindavan. A distraught Radha with messy hair and smudged kajal pours her heart out to her dear Sakhi – a friend, who plays a pivotal role as mediator and messenger, calming Radha and conveying her feelings to Krishna. The Sakhi asks Radha to take refuge in nature and not lament.
Krishna rushes to Radha, contrite, weeping, he begs her forgiveness. Radha is experiencing anxiety, jealousy, confusion, and loneliness, which, the Sakhi tells Krishna, is all because of him.
Krishna woos Radha, “Tvamsi mama Jivanam, Tvamsi mama Bhushanam…” – “You are my life, you are my ornament”, and he says “Pad Pallav Udharam” – your feet are my crown. Crying, Krishna declares Radha as the reason for his existence. Having thus made up, Radha demands that Krishna smooth her hair, erase the smudged kajal from her eyes, and straighten the messed-up bed that was decorated for them – she does not misuse the power she has over him but asserts her right as Krishna makes up with her.
Krishna invites her into his home and at each stage of intimacy, seeks Radha’s permission, for consent of the woman is paramount. Krishna asks Radha to take his flute, every breath, and the peacock feather that crowns his head; he will give up anything so long as he can be with his beloved Radha.
“As a dancer, it is important to relate to what people go through and help them experience art within themselves,” says Chandra who, with her team, spent five years researching and reinterpreting Gita Govinda, performing each prabandha and digitizing it so that future generations can enjoy Jayadeva’s romantic and inspiring poetry that one can closely identify with. Now Gita Govinda dance recital is organized all over the world.
Supported by Natyasutra — all prabandhas of the Gita Govinda have been performed, filmed in the tropical forests of Kerala and specially designed sets, and launched online. Art connoisseurs, dance schools, teachers and students can watch, download, learn, and perform. “The whole idea is that the coming generations can remember and appreciate the true idea of love and harmony,” says Chandra.
Leave a Reply