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Veethi Bhagavatam
Veethi Bhagavatam is a solo performance that originated from
Kuchipudi tradition. The masters of Kuchipudi themselves thought
of this new type and it evolved through women -artistes of courtesan
families (Kalavantula) who were proficient in the solo dance -art
of the Nautch. The Kuchipudi tradition did not permit women to play female
roles in its Bhagavata stories and the Nautch had its own repertoire of
detached pieces and love songs. By crossing the features of these
two, the form named Veethi Bhagavata or Gollakalapa was developed. The
Veethi Bhagavata is performed during temple festivals, on occasions of
marriage and other happy celebrations in the houses of rich patrons.
The Veethi Bhagavata has a single female artists, the
main dancer, she supported by a secondary female artistes. The role of
Vidhushaka is used to entertain and put across humour effectively in the
play. He also add vehicle of wisdom. He is versatile and multi purpose
character, the constant companion of the lady and also her chorist. It
is its dialogue or argument in which the chief lady, representing a milkmaid
(Golla), carries on with the Brahmin, that provides the Kalapam. She cross-
examines the Brahmin as to his real Brahmin hood and expatiates on what
a real Brahmin is according to the Sastras and under the torrent
of her questions and Sanskrit quotation from the sastras, the poor Brahmin
is left breathless.
The performance begins as with any traditional dance-drama.
A curtain is held by two stage-hands and the main character performs
behind it, her dance to the entrance song as sung by the chorus. The classic
ragas of the Karnatik music are used in the songs, the
Mridangam supplies the rhythmic accompaniment Jatis are orally recited
and intricate rhythm patterns give the dancers footwork sufficient scope
for artistry. She interprets the theme in the songs closely through Abhinaya.
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