RDM Studio Newsletter
August 2021
Happy Janmashtami!
Jayadev’s lyrical poem Gita Govinda is a unique work and source of religious inspiration in Vaishnavism.
Poet Jayadev grew up in Kenduli Sasan and studied in the Prachi valley, Khurda district of Orissa that had a history of worshiping Krishna. His wife Padmavati was an accomplished dancer herself. Written in the 12th century, the Sanskrit songs became popular in Orissa, Bengal and South India. Gita Govinda became a part of the daily temple rituals at Puri, performed every evening for Jagannath (another form of Vishnu). The book is organized in 12 chapters. Each chapter has 24 prabandhas or divisions. These divisions contain couplets grouped into eight called Ashtapadis. In 1792 Sir William Jones translated them into English.
While writing the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna, legend has it that Poet Jayadev was hesitant with the moment where Radha places her feet on Krishna’s head as a gesture of victory. He took a break from his writing and went for a bath. In his absence the couplet was completed and the food prepared by Padmavati was eaten. This was seen as a divine blessing from Krishna himself.

Shringaar ras is beautifully expressed as Radha waits for Krishna endlessly, expressing jealousy when he is with other maidens. She dresses up for him, fights with him, pleads with him, begs his forgiveness and is ecstatic when they are finally together. At the same time the verses also depict Krishna’s 12 moods ranging from exuberance to being apologetic to becoming a passionate lover. The entire gamut of emotions of an epic love story or Raas Leela (Dance of divine love) is expressed in the Gita Govinda. On a deeper spiritual level, Radha is the Atma or individual soul longing to unite with the Brahman or Krishna.
Considering the subject matter these verses are taught after students attain maturity to express such a depth of emotions. Famous compositions include Sakhe hey, Priya charu sheley, Kuru yadunandana, and Ya he madhava. My favorite piece on stage is Lalita Labanga lata where Radha is waiting in the season of spring for Krishna to show up. Younger students work on pieces like Chandana Charchita that depict Krishna in his joyful, exuberant mood dancing happily with the maidens or Gopis of Vrindavan.
The Gita Govinda was written over 800 years ago and still remains fresh to this day. It was instrumental for the Bhakti movement, Vaishnavism and is also the very core of Indian classical dancing.
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