A rustic Satyabhama

The first day of the ‘Annual SICA Dance Festival’ started at Ravindra Bharathi on Sunday with the presentation of a ‘Bhama Kalapam’ in the ‘Devadasi’ style by Dr Yashoda Thakore. Yashoda is an accomplished Artiste who has enthralled world audiences with her consummate artistry.

The ‘Bhama Kalapam’ which revolves around the story of Krishna and Satyabhama’s possessiveness of her Lord was presented in ‘Devadasi Nrityam Courtesan’ repertoire of South India.

Yashoda has directly learned from the descendants of these Dancers the pieces preserved in their Family tradition and presented the ‘Kalapam’ in its ‘Pristine’ form without tampering by trying to polish the Ancient style.

Thus the audience appreciates the source of modern Classical Dances, connect and imbibe a sense of reverence. This Libretto of Bhamakalapam out of the many written in Telugu is authored by Atkuri Subba Rao.

The Nattuvangam and Vocal was by sisters Lakshmi Mangathayaru and Leelasai, granddaughters of Annabattula Buli Venkatratnam, Doyen of the ‘Kalavantulu’ style of dancing in the Godavari District. The Musicians in the live orchestra were Subba rao on Mridangam and Violin, Anjaneyulu.

The plot of the story is Satyabhama's quarrel with Lord Krishna and her attempts to make it up with Him again. Satyabhama enters, her Sakhis Madhavi played by Sirisha and Champaka by Aalekhya Prabha.

This was the Pravesa Daruvu introducing the character of Satyabhama, describing her beauty and pride in intricate Lyrics. Satyabhama then proceeds to show her greatness in being the beloved of the Lord of the Universe.

She then comes to the matter of her estrangement from Him, the reason for which eludes her comprehension. She sends Madhavi to make peace with Lord Krishna, whose role was donned brilliantly by Hari Mangalampalli, after some hesitation as Satyabhama is not used to being submissive to anyone.

Rebuffed by the Lord, Madhavi is scolded by Satyabhama. Finally after all these complications Krishna and Satyabhama are united ending the Dance Drama.

The skilled Abhinaya which is the forte of Yashoda in displaying the myriad emotions of Satyabhama, haughtiness, anger, chagrin and finally submissiveness was a treat to watch. Sirisha essayed Madhavi's role with a brisk vigour and Aalekhya's retorts as Champaka were very well done.

By Anna Rao