Story of the Indian dance-drama: Krishna Parijat
created by: Anil Kumar

KRISHNA PARIJAT

The ballet, Krishna Parijat, demonstrates how true love and devotion to
God requires the relinquishing of pride; that no extent of worldly
power, wealth, and physical beauty will bring God closer. Rather, it is
selfless devotion to God that brings him near.

The ballet tells of Lord Krishna and two ladies; one, his wife,
Satyabhama, and the other his devoted concubine, Rukmini. Both ladies
are quite different by nature. Satyabhama is the most beautiful woman
in all the world. She is very rich, prideful, strong-willed, and
demanding. Rukmini, on the other hand, has a soft, mild nature. In her
modesty she is totally devoted to Lord Krishna and ever-loving and
tolerant. Now, into this precarious triangle comes the very clever and
notorious mischief-maker, Narada. Narada goes to heaven and plucks a
beautiful golden flower called Parijat and brings it back to earth.
Upon his return he comes across Lord Krishna and Rukmini. Now, Rukmini
has been pining away and praying for Lord Krishna to come. When, in
fact, he finally does arrive, they dance together. At this point
Narada beckons to Lord Krishna and entreats him to give the beautiful
Parijat to the one he loves most dearly in all the world. Lord Krishna
takes the flower and places it in Rukmini's hair.

His mission completed, Narada now seeks out Satyabhama in her palace
where she is proudly dancing and flaunting her airs. Narada comes and
tells Satyabhama about Lord Krishna, Rukmini, and the Parijat.
Satyabhama flies into a fit of jealous rage and when Lord Krishna
arrives home later that day he finds himself barred from entering.
Realizig what the problem is, he promises to bring Satyabhama a whole
tree of Parijats to appease her jealousy. He does so and the tree is
planted in Satybhama's yard, which, as it so happens, borders on the
home of Rukmini. Having done this, it would seem the problem has been
put to rest and all would be well again.

Now, in the meantime, Rukmini, who is quite unaware of the intrigue that
has been unfolding, is at home devotedly praying and doing her
dedications to Lord Krishna. The Parijat tree, touched by this earnest
and true devotion, responds and little by little its branches begin to
turn toward Rukmini's yard until finally all the flowers are hanging
over Rukmini. When Satyabhama discovers this she storms onto Rukmini's
land ready to fight.

Fortunately, Narada intervenes in time and reminds them of Lord
Krishna's manifestations. They are awestruck and humbled. They kneel
in devotion and Lord Krishna brings them together in peace and harmony.

The story ends with the rite of Aarti, a devotional fire dance.

NOTE: Most recently, this ballet has been done with each of the 4
characters performing his part in a different classical style.
Satyabhama does her role in the Kathak style. Rukmini in the Odissi
style. Krishna in the Kuchipudi style and Narada in the Barata Natyam
style.