Samsaara

16th February, 2018
Aruna Mohanty & Troupe, Odissi
Ranjith Kumar Troupe, Perini
K Padmaja Troupe, Vidyaranya Government College of Music and Dance
Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal

Bhadrakali Temple, situated in a picturesque setting on the banks of the Bhadrakali Lake provided a serene ambiance to multiple performances that evening. Students of Ranjith Kumar presented the Perini Shiva Thandavam – “Dance of the Warriors”, a form of dance usually performed by warrior men in front of an idol of Lord Shiva before leaving for a battle. There was also a dance drama “Mahishasura Mardini” – presented by students of Vidyaranya Government College of Music and Dance, Warangal, led by their Principal Kuppa Padmaja. The highlight of the evening was a captivating presentation of an Odissi dance performance called “Samsara” by a troupe led by Orissa dancer – Padmashree awardee, Aruna Mohanty. Samsara is the soul’s journey through the cycle of birth and death. The soul experiences the journey from childhood to youth to old age. If you gracefully accept these stages in the cycle of life, then why are you so afraid of the next stage, death? ‘Samsara’ reflects on the idea that at the end of it all one needs to seek refuge in the lotus feet of the lord. Therefore the message was “Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Muddhamate.” – chant the name of the Lord for the release of the soul. This was followed by Navarasa, the nine rasas conveyed through an episode from the Ramayana.

Artists

null

Aruna Mohanty & Troupe

Odissi
null

Ranjith Kumar Troupe

Perini
null

K Padmaja Troupe

Vidyaranya Government College of Music and Dance

Venue

The temple which is counted as one of the oldest temples of Indian History is dedicated to the worship of the mother of goddesses, Kali Matha or Bhadrakali Ammavaru. Situated on a hilltop between Hanamkonda and Warangal, the temple opens up to a picturesque setting of lush greenery and the Bhadrakali Lake. The serene surroundings of the temple help the mind to relax and aid the soul in surrendering to the Supreme Power.

The history behind the temple dates back to 625AD. It is believed that the Chalukya King Pulekesi II, after successfully bringing the Vengi region of Telangana under his dominion, constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to the mother goddess to celebrate his victory and also express his dedication and gratitude to goddess Bhadrakali. This was an abandoned ancient temple surrounded by hills and trees until the 1950s when Sri Ganapathi Sasthri, a brahmin from Karnataka migrated to Warangal and worked on renovating the temple. We can see the style of the great Chalukya Dynasty in every bit of the temple, right from its architecture to the main deity, which displays the Ekanda Shila or single stone sculpture, which marks as the trademark style attributed to the Chalukyas.