Kamsavadham
Kamsavadham
Kamsavadham
Kamsavadham is considered a masterpiece in Nangiarkoothu stagecraft and requires a high degree of skill and training. The dominant portion of the performance is an elaborate acting of ‘navarasa’, the nine emotions. As Krishna enters Mathura, each onlooker, according his intrinsic nature, displayed various emotions.
After killing the war elephant Kuvalayapeedom, Krishna approached the wrestling arena.
The wrestlers (Raudram - Rage)
This is the fellow named Krishna, from Ambady, who is an enemy of our master Kamsa. His body seems to be hard as a diamond but nevertheless we shall kill him with our bare fists. They displayed great anger and postured aggressively.
The people of Mathura (Albhutham - Wonderstruck)
Astonishing! Never have we seen anybody equal to him on earth. Is he a prince ? No ? A cowherd ? Amazing!
Women of Mathura (Sringara - Amore / Love-sick)
Who is this beautiful treasure ? Is he one of the Aswini Devas ? Not possible! The Aswin twins never separate from each other and walk about in single. It is told that Kamadeva was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva. That ought to be a lie. Here is Kamadeva in all his physical beauty.
The Gopas (Hasyam - Mirth)
Mate! Look at these residents of Mathura gaping at our Krishna without batting an eyelid. Krishna is just like anyone of us. There is nothing special about him.
Vassal Kings (Veeram - Valor)
This is Krishna the enemy of Kamsa. He seems arrogant thinking he has the power to rule over us. Let us fight him. No! He is a cowherd. It is beneath our dignity to fight a cowherd. Servants! Go bind him and bring him to us.
Vasudeva & Devaki (Valsalyam & Karunam - Mothers love & Pathos)
Devaki’s breasts are moist with milk on seeing Krishna. We are seeing him for the first time after giving birth to him and is a moment of immense happiness. But we are stricken with grief at the thought of him, a small boy, fighting the mighty wrestlers.
Kamsa (Bhayanakam - Fright)
On hearing a messenger that Krishna has killed Kuvalayapeedom, Kamsa overcome with anxiety - Will the wrestlers have the strength to kill Krishna or will he prevail over them ? On seeing Krishna approaching - He is not a mere cowherd. He is the Lord of Death that has come to take my life.
Folk who have not realised Krishna’s greatness (Bheebhatsam - Aversion)
It is not fair for such tender, puny boy to fight these huge wrestlers. Whoever thought of this disgusting contest ? Let us not watch this - Let us leave this place at once
Sages/ Yogis (Santham)
He is verily that supreme one who is beyond the senses. Thus they meditate on seeing him.
Vrishnis (Bhakthi)
He is none other than the lotus eyed Sri Narayana who is the Lord of our clan. Let us worship him.
Vasudeva & Devaki (Valsalyam & Karunam - Mothers love & Pathos)
Devaki’s breasts are moist with milk on seeing Krishna. We are seeing him for the first time after giving birth to him and is a moment of immense happiness. But we are stricken with grief at the thought of him, a small boy, fighting the mighty wrestlers.
Kamsa (Bhayanakam - Fright)
On hearing a messenger that Krishna has killed Kuvalayapeedom, Kamsa overcome with anxiety - Will the wrestlers have the strength to kill Krishna or will he prevail over them ? On seeing Krishna approaching - He is not a mere cowherd. He is the Lord of Death that has come to take my life.
Folk who have not realised Krishna’s greatness (Bheebhatsam - Aversion)
It is not fair for such tender, puny boy to fight these huge wrestlers. Whoever thought of this disgusting contest ? Let us not watch this - Let us leave this place at once
Sages/ Yogis (Santham)
He is verily that supreme one who is beyond the senses. Thus they meditate on seeing him.
Vrishnis (Bhakthi)
He is none other than the lotus eyed Sri Narayana who is the Lord of our clan. Let us worship him.
At that time,
As Wrestlers
Krishna, if you think you have the strength, engage us in a wrestling match. Thus the wrestlers display aggressive fighting postures. In the fierce fist fight that ensued, the Krishna grabbed the leg of Chanura, twirled and struck him to the ground, killing him. Balarama also punched the wrestler Mushtika to death.
As Krishna
What is it that I hear Kamsa say - You guards, go immediately, capture the brothers and discard them someplace away from the royal road. Then kill both Devaki & Vasudeva. - thus
On seeing Kamsa sitting on his throne in the seventh floor of his palace, greatly angered, Krishna jumped atop and landed near Kamsa. Approaching Kamsa like a lion stalking a cornered deer in fright, engaged him in a fight. Krishna grabbed the sword and shield from Kamsa and threw him to the ground. Pounced on him and severed his head. On that auspicious occasion, the devas(Demigods) showered divine flowers and the righteous people of the world felt happy as their hearts had been put at ease.
Krishna then marched to the prison chamber to meet Ugrasena. He unshackled his bonds and conorated him as king of the Vrishni clan.