International Odissi Festival 2011: Madhavi Mudgal performs Dheera Sameere
Director: Kelucharan Mohapatra; Cinematographer: Niraj Jani
Duration: 00:16:20; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 38.124; Saturation: 0.372; Lightness: 0.049; Volume: 0.441; Cuts per Minute: 0.061; Words per Minute: 22.460
Summary: The 4th International Odissi Dance Festival in 2011 was held from December 23 to 30, 2011, at Rabindra Mandap Bhubaneswar. The festival was preceded by an attempt to create a world record by having around 550 dancers perform together at Kalinga Stadium. It saw the participation of most major Odissi ensembles in Orissa and a few from outside the state. With performances for over twelve hours each day, the festival featured several hundred performers in solo, duet and group works over eight days. In its scale, the festival offered a bird's eye view of the landscape of contemporary Odissi and its ever-changing nature. It foregrounded new trends in choreography, music and costuming. The seminars during the festival sparked lively debates on issues and concerns in Odissi. One such concern, voiced repeatedly, questioned the definition of tradition within the space of the dance form and the limits it could be stretched to. This raised parallel questions about innovation and experimentation in Odissi - a debate that found itself mirrored in the performances during the festival.
Born into a family deeply involved in propagating the classical arts, Madhavi was immersed in music and dance from a very young age. Madhavi trained in Bharata Natyam and Kathak under great gurus. Later she turned to Odissi which she adopted as her preferred medium. Her introduction to Odissi took place under Guru Hare Krishna Bahera who trained her in the fundamentals. Later she came under the tutelage of the renowned Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Through teaching, performing and conducting workshops, Madhavi has been actively involved in propagating the art of Odissi in New Delhi and other parts of India as well as the world. She has trained a number of accomplished students who are performers in their own right. Madhavi Mudgal has received a Padmashri, Sanskriti Award and an SNA award, among many others, for her contribution to dance.
Here, she performs Dheera Sameere, an ashtapadi from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. Though Mudgal performs her own choreographic work from the Gita Govinda, the version performed here is choreographed by her guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Gita Govinda
Jayadeva
Sanskrit
abhinaya
ashtapadi
Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana
dhira-samire yamuna-tire vasati vane vanamali
pina-payodhara-parisara-mardana-cancala-kara-yuga-sali
Translation:
Krishna waits in a forest bower on the Malaya-windswept shore of the Yamuna, adorned by a garland of forest flowers.
His hands have become fickle by caressing the ample breasts of gopis; he waits anxiously for you.
peena : fleshy, thick
payodhara:vessel (paya :liquid - usually milk, dhara: holds)
Parisara: sphere
mardala: crushing it
chanchal: agitated
Kara: hand
Yuga: two
shali: the one who has
rati: love-making,
sukha: pleasure,
saa-re: essence of the pleasure of love,
gatam: one who is gone,
Abhisare: meeting place- tryst
rati-sukha-sare gatam abhisare madana-manohara-vesam
na kuru nitambini gamana-vilambanam anusara tam hrdayesam
Translation:
Go swiftly and meet Krishna at the appointed place, where he anxiously awaits you, dressed as Madana
O young woman, your pace is already slowed down by the weight of your broad hips; don't procrastinate any longer and be late for your tryst
dhira-samire yamuna-tire vasati vane vanamali
Translation:
Krishna waits in a forest bower on the Malaya-windswept shore of the Yamuna, adorned by a garland of forest flowers.
nama-sametam-krta-sanketam vadayate mrdu-venum
bahu manuta nanu te tanu-sangata-pavana-calitan api renum
Translation:
He softly plays the flute, as if he were calling your name
He considers himself fortunate to be touched by the innumerable dust particles that have first touched your body; as they come to him on the breeze, he receives them with great care
dhira-samire yamuna-tire vasati vane vanamali
Translation:
Krishna waits in a forest bower on the Malaya-windswept shore of the Yamuna, adorned by a garland of forest flowers.
patati patatre vicalati patre sankita-bhavad-upayanam
racayati sayanam sacakita-nayanam pasyati tava panthanam
Translation:
As Krishna joyfully makes your bed, he hears all sorts of imaginary voices
Even the bird which lands on a tree and rustles the leaves startles him; he keeps casting expectant glances along the path of your arrival.
dhira-samire yamuna-tire vasati vane vanamali
Translation:
Krishna waits in a forest bower on the Malaya-windswept shore of the Yamuna, adorned by a garland of forest flowers.
Dance interlude
mukharam adhiram tyaja manjiram ripum iva kelisu lolam
cala sakhi kunjam satimira-punjam silaya nila-nicolam
Translation:
Take off these ankle bells; they are dangerous enemies which alert others to your walk and are talkative even during love-play
Set out for your secret forest grove, my friend, but wear your blue clothes, which unite you with the darkness of the night.
dhira-samire yamuna-tire vasati vane vanamali
Translation:
Krishna waits in a forest bower on the Malaya-windswept shore of the Yamuna, adorned by a garland of forest flowers.
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