Preyasi: Radha in Love
A reimagining of Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam, where Radha is a proactive seeker on a conquest of love, brought to life through research-led choreography.
I love Jayadeva’s portrayal of Radha as an Abhisarika, a woman who seeks her lover. My choreography interprets her not as a shy maiden, but as a proclamatory warrior on a conquest of love, with her waist-bells sounding like kettle drums.
The world is a stage. While on a hike, I found a field of flowers and began weaving them into my hair, just as I do in my choreography for this Ashtapadi. My husband spontaneously began to sing, a beautiful moment where art and life merged.
Entering "Preyasi" mode. This work explores Radha's emotional states as described in the Gita Govindam. This particular Ashtapadi, "Sakhi Hey," emotionally connects to the feeling of being separated from a loved one who is far away.
A poster for my production *Preyasi - Radha in Love*. This enchanting exploration of the Gita Govindam combines Jayadeva's ashtapadis with live music to delve into the many moods of love.
"Let go of your shyness and seek Him out." This line from the Gita Govindam inspired me to explore the Abhisarika nayika in a new light. Here is a glimpse of the rehearsal process with my husband, Sharan, as we weave the music and movement together.
The energy is always different when the musicians are in the house. This is a rehearsal for *Preyasi*, where we are exploring the emotional states of Radha. It's a cathartic and collaborative process.
About Preyasi: Radha in Love
My approach to Preyasi moves beyond traditional interpretations of Radha. Instead of presenting a passive figure, I rely on rigorous literary research to portray her as an Abhisarika—a warrior-like figure actively seeking her love—and this specific narrative depth is what I bring to every commission.
When I commission a thematic work like Preyasi, the process starts with decoding the text, not the steps. I dive into Jayadeva's Gita Govindam, specifically looking for verses that challenge the standard, often passive, depiction of Radha.
My choreographic process is highly collaborative, involving:
- Literary Decoding: We analyze Sanskrit and regional poetry to understand the emotional landscape. For example, when I encountered the line 'Shikhandi Shikhandaka Daamare', I researched historical visual references to translate the description of an adornment into a fresh movement vocabulary.
- Original Music Composition: I work directly with musicians to craft a soundscape that fits the emotion of the narrative, rather than forcing steps to fit a rigid rhythm. The music for Preyasi was designed to mirror the turbulence and catharsis of Radha’s journey.
- Theatrical Nuance: Whether performing solo or with an ensemble, I focus on the Ashtanayika avastha—the eight emotional states—to ensure the storytelling feels authentic and immediate for modern audiences.
This production is designed for intimate theatre spaces, festivals, or private venues where the audience can connect with the nuances of the performance. If you are looking to host a production that combines rigorous classical grammar with contemporary research, let us discuss how we can adapt this narrative for your space.
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