The Magic Of Balasaraswati

The Magic Of Balasaraswati

- Sunil Kothari

It was a historic dance conference convened by the Sangeet Natak Akademi at Vigyan Bhavan in April 1958 at New Delhi. All the leading lights of the Indian dance world were there, and it was there that for the first time I saw Balasaraswati performing, singing and enacting abhinaya at once. When she started singing Krishna nee begane baro, she cast a spell on the galaxy of gurus, dancers, scholars, critics, and rasikas. And as she delved into her manodharma, her imagination, weaving in sanchari bhavas, the audience was spellbound. A big built woman, Bala was dressed in a simple saree, but she became transformed into mother Yasoda as she beckoned to the naughty little Krishna, cajoling him with such motherly love that we could see him running to her. She embraced him, wrapped the peetambar around him, and started adorning him with anklebells, waistband, a peacock feather—and how Krishna danced! When she rendered the lines Jagadoddharaka... Krishna, she wove in the sanchari bhavas of Draupadi being shamed in full view of the elders in the court, dragged by Dussasana. She cried to Krishna for help and He saved her from humiliation. There was total silence. Everyone was witnessing a miracle. Draupadi’s cry was heartrending. And when she bowed to Krishna and concluded the performance, she received a standing ovation from the gathering.