Shakuntalam: The inward journey

Kuchipudi and Vilasini Natyam dancer Pujitha Krishna Jyothi embarks upon creating a dance production based on the much popular story of Shakuntala and Dushyanta, 'Swacchanda Vallari'. The Anglo- Sanskrit feature inspired by Kalidasa's Abhigyana Shakuntalam will be staged on June 15, at Shilparamam.

The story of Shakuntala has captured the imagination of many over the years. Her austere yet radiant form shining bright against the picturesque backdrop of sage Kanva's hermitage, has defined this simple, half-mortal's ill-fated love story with the King of the land, Dushyanta. No one but the master craftsman could have woven a romantic tale with the unexpected twists and turns of curse, separation, thwarted love and abandonment interspersed with beautiful descriptions of nature and love, youth and beauty.

Pujita says, "In Kalidasa's Shakuntalam, the readers are reassured by the reuniting of its two protagonists at the end. The King is rescued from the reader's recrimination by the clever device of sage Durvasa's curse, which makes one even a little sympathetic of the King's unfortunate loss of memory and his gratuitous rejection of Shakuntala."

In the dance production 'Swacchanda Vallari', she depicts an inward journey that Shakuntala might have taken - that of the universal challenge of sublimating betrayal and bitterness into an internal quest for meaning and purpose. Shakuntala has just been spurned by Dushyanta.

Heartbroken, pregnant with his child, she wanders hopelessly in the forest when she is suddenly accosted by an akaashvani, which is in reality her own alter ego that starts questioning her about who she is. As she attempts to answer the questions, Shakuntala recounts her past. What follows is a psychological and emotional transformation of Shakuntala and her liberation from all preceding despair. In the end, Shakuntala finds herself, so to speak.

She explains, "The vanajyotsana, a forest creeper epitomises Shakuntala's haplessness and vulnerability. A creeper, symbol for the feminine always depends upon a tree, which represents the masculine. Shakuntala is deeply attached to Vanajyotsana and identifies with it. As she comes to terms with her true purpose in life, she realises she must let go of the creeper and stop being one herself.

The bee here stands for Dushyanta, who by the very virtue of being a king, has the sanction to court several women. The presence of the bee heralds confusion in Shakuntala's life. It is this bee that she must ward off in order to truly find herself."

What: Dance production 'Swacchanda Vallari'

When: June 15, 7pm

Where: Shilparamam