A temple tale reborn

Strap: 40 dancers; two shows; one divine spectacle – Paschimavahini Krishna storms Chowdiah Memorial Hall this July 30th

Blurb:

The production poses reflective questions – how do we recognise life’s deeper callings? How do we surrender the ego and place trust in a higher path? At its core, Paschimavahini Krishna is an artistic celebration.

Byline: Bindu Gopal Rao

Paschimavahini Krishna isn’t just a 90-minute classical dance-theatre experience — it’s a stirring plunge into faith, folklore, and forgotten histories. Set against the spiritual backdrop of 19th-century Srirangapatna, where the sacred Cauvery flows westward, the production reawakens the Sthala Purana of the Sri Venugopala Krishnaswamy Temple with music, movement, and myth that promise to leave you spellbound.

Culture, tradition & History

The production captures the lifestyle of a unique community rooted in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Roopa Doraswamy, founder of GoBrahma, said the narrative centres around the age-old tradition of Tula Snanam, where pilgrims immerse themselves in the sacred waters of the Cauvery. “Through this lens the show reimagines how rituals once nurtured respect for nature and brought communities together,” she noted.

While it acknowledges the need to move beyond outdated social practices, the production, she added, seeks to reclaim and reinterpret timeless values—offering a contemporary perspective on deeply rooted traditions.

Paschimavahini and Srirangapatna are places of immense historical significance. From the era of Tipu Sultan to lesser-known local legends, this land has borne witness to pivotal moments. Paschimavahini Krishna does more than retell a myth—it rekindles curiosity about the region’s layered histories and unsung stories.

Philosophy meets art

The core of the production explores the philosophy of Saranagati—the idea of total surrender, central to the Vishishtadvaita school of thought. Through powerful moments of surrender, humility, and divine guidance, the show invites the audience to reflect on life’s purpose, the role of intuition, and the act of letting go.

The production poses reflective questions – how do we recognise life’s deeper callings? How do we surrender the ego and place trust in a higher path? At its core, Paschimavahini Krishna is an artistic celebration.

Roopa Doraswamy explained that every performer is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer, each nurtured through the guru-shishya parampara and representing different banis (styles). She added that the original score is deeply rooted in Carnatic music and features new compositions in Kannada, alongside Sanskrit and Tamil verses.

“The choreography balances classical rigour with accessible storytelling,” she said, emphasising that the intent was to ensure an emotional connection even for those unfamiliar with the art form.

Costumes have been custom-designed to reflect the clothing styles of the early 19th century, reviving a fashion aesthetic that has largely vanished in the modern era. Doraswamy noted that every element—lighting, makeup, costume, stage design, and sound—has been thoughtfully crafted to heighten the audience’s sensory and emotional experience.

To complete this immersive journey, the audience is served temple-style food, prepared by traditional cooks who offer it with the same spirit of devotion. Because sometimes, a simple meal of curd rice—when served with faith—becomes unforgettable.

Theatrical extravaganza

Paschimavahini Krishna is a grand, visually stunning theatrical experience — a spectacle of scale, artistry, and innovation. Featuring over 40 dancers in vibrant, custom-designed costumes, the production transforms the stage with breathtaking special effects – dynamic LED visuals, a captivating aerial act, dramatic flower showers, intricately crafted props, and even fire blasters — all choreographed to deepen the audience’s emotional journey.

Doraswamy described it as a premium, high-budget production, where every artist and technician is compensated at professional market rates — with no unpaid volunteers. “The result is a polished, immersive performance filled with moments designed to leave audiences awestruck and emotionally stirred,” she said.

The musical soul of Paschimavahini Krishna comes alive through the work of award-winning artist Guru Badari Divya Bhushan — a composer, lyricist, and singer of exceptional calibre. Bhushan created the original Kannada lyrics and composed the music, seamlessly integrating select Sanskrit shlokas and Tamil verses from the Divyaprabandham.

When the team first approached him, Doraswamy recalled, they had only shared the emotional core of the story — one rooted in the sacred landscape of Paschimavahini, where devotion, nature, and humanity intersect. “Bhushan immediately understood its depth and translated that essence into a powerful, soul-stirring musical journey,” she said.

A fit form

While Paschimavahini Krishna is rooted in the classical language of Bharatanatyam, its choreography steps beyond the confines of the traditional margam—the structured repertoire dancers typically master before their arangetram (solo debut). Guru Badari Divya Bhushan has taken thoughtful creative liberties with the form, crafting a vocabulary that is both rooted and resonant with contemporary audiences.

This decision, Doraswamy shared, has sparked conversation within the classical community, as it challenges the conventional boundaries of the art. “To honour those sentiments while embracing innovation we made a conscious choice to leave out the term ‘Bharatanatyam’ in our current marketing. Our intent is to welcome connoisseurs and first-timers alike—without the pressure of labels or expectations,” she explained.

Unlike most performances that end in applause or a standing ovation, Paschimavahini Krishna culminates in something more transcendent. Its finale builds to a spiritual crescendo, lifting the audience into a space beyond the physical. It is more than a show—it is an artistic portal into a time, a place, and a lived tradition. One that invites reflection, stirs emotion, and rekindles a connection to the eternal.

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The Story

The story follows Kodugu Sreenivasa, a devout pilgrim who receives a divine vision while resting under an ancient Ashwatha tree. In his dream, Lord Krishna instructs him to unearth an idol buried beneath the tree and build a temple. The Lord also urges him to feed pilgrims arriving for the Tula Snanam—a sacred dip in the river during the auspicious month. Sreenivasa discovers the idol, establishes the temple, and begins the tradition of Annadanam (offering food), a legacy his descendants uphold to this day. What begins as a simple tale unfolds into a rich, immersive journey—blending culture, tradition, history, philosophy, art, and food into an evocative tapestry of devotion and legacy.