Dr C Narayana Reddy’s epic poetic composition Karpura Vasantarayalu has been reimagined by noted Kuchipudi & Vilasini Natyam exponent Anupama Kylash on the ocassion of his birth anniversary – VIJAYA PRATAP writes the highlights of the show at Ravindra Bharathi
On Monday, 29th July 2024 Ravindra Bharathi auditorium was filled with connoisseurs who eagerly waited to witness Late Dr C Narayana Reddy’s epic poetic composition “Karpura Vasantarayalu” presented by Dr Anupama Kylash, the well known dance scholar, Kuchipudi and Vilasini Natyam dancer-guru based in Hyderabad.
There was a sense of satisfaction in the audience after watching the programme: it is very rarely you see such fine literary works interpreted into music or dance. It was a tough subject to deal with but the outcome was impressive. The creator Anupama reveals how she handled it: “It is a beautiful poetic composition by Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, with over 600 verses, where he has recited around 200 verses in his own voice. It was indeed a difficult task to edit and shortlist only those verses which we could create visuals for, while also managing to retain some of the important sections in the poet’s original voice. I did not want to use a typical dance – drama format, but rather attempted a creative adaptation of the verses, which could highlight the beauty of the phrases and lyrical structure of the work. The musical score provided by the husband-wife duo, Sweta Prasad and Renuka Prasad Karpūra Vasantarāyalu is exemplary and transports us into an era, where the marriage between lyric and melody was most treasured!!”
For most Telugu literature aficionados, the story is familiar: the love story of Karpūra Vasantarāyalu (King Komaragiri Reddy) and the beautiful courtesan, Lakuma Devi. Lakuma, the tender beauty endowed with great artistic prowess was the inspiration for the king’s Vasantarājīyam, a literary work.
Anupama’s take on introducing the character of Chandrudu (the moon) who is not there in the actual text: “ I have observed that in many of C Narayana Reddy’s film songs too, there are many references to the moon, like, “Andaraani Chandamama”, “Ee Vennela Velugu Lona”, “Pagale Vennela”, “Chandamama Ravoyi”, “Vasthaadu naa Raju”, “Raa Raa Vennela Dora” and many more!
I also learnt that he was born on a full moon day! This connection of the poet with the moon intrigued me, therefore I decided to introduce a character the moon, or Chandrudu! In this adaptation, the moon is the friend and confidante of the characters and also represents the ‘Manas’ or the innermost emotions of the characters!”
And this Chandrudu, played by Ajeish Menon stole the show with his graceful movements in a beautiful silver grey costume (to denote moonlight). Pramod Reddy was majestic as Karpura Vasantarayalu in the regal getup. Vyshnavi Korlakunta as Lakuma Devi had a major part, which she played well. Anupama as the Sutradhari portrayed the role aptly and effortlessly with years of experience behind her.
Anupama Kylash concludes, “My vision of Karpūra Vasantarāyalu is all about sensitive, emotional content portrayed through poetic visuals. It is not a work that requires spectacular or highly energetic dancing. It is a work that requires poignancy and internalisation of subtle and nuanced emotion.”
The presentation though subtle, surely reached the hearts!
