Radha Madhavam, a dance drama directed by cine actress Gayathri will be staged at Layam Koothambalam in Tripunithura, Kochi on June 11. It’s the first theatrical production by Wings of Fire, a non-profit organisation from Tripunithura.
Radha Madhavam, designed like a fusion, narrates the story of Krishna and Radha and includes different kinds of classical dance forms. The two-hour performance will begin with a sloka in Kathakali, introducing the plot. This will be followed by the introduction of the main character Radha through a Mohiniyattam cholkettu. The character Krishna will be brought on stage through Bharatanatyam alarippu, which will be followed by the entry of dwarapalaks through jatiswaram, which is the third part in a dance recital.
The romance between Krishna and Radha and their separation concludes the first half of the production, which is depicted through padam. The second half includes varnam and thillana and all dance forms come together, forming a jugalbandi.
The lyrics of the songs in the dance drama are from Swathi Thirunal’s works and Jayadeva’s Gitagovindam. One set of lyrics is written by popular lyricist Rajeev Alumkal. The flute and jatiswaram are played by Palakkad Sreeram while music director Thej Marvin coordinated the instruments.
According to the organisers, the aim of the production is to attract the young crowd to traditional art forms.
Radha Madhavam will be enacted by film actress Krishna Prabha along with a few award-winning students. The show will begin at 6 pm.
