Nauka Charitam, Saint Thyagaraja's Nauka Charitam: A Dance Drama by Radha (Choreography) Doordarshan

Saint Thyagaraja's Nauka Charitam: A Dance Drama
by Radha (Choreography)

The Nauka Charitam of Thyagaraja is a gem among musical compositions in Carnatic music and masterpiece and cherishing.
Song: 1
Ragam: Surati Talam Adi
Srungarinchukoni adorning themselves attractively the beautiful gopis strutted behind Lord Krishna. One of them Laughs in unrestrained glle while another combs his teases and places flowers and teases him gently.

Song: 2
Ragam: Pantuvarali, Talam Misra Chapu
Choodare See how enticing the river Yamuna’s charm is. The cuckoos are pouring out dulcet melodies. The atmosphere is ideal for cupid to unleash his flowery darts.

Slokam Nallani
On the black waters of the river Yamuna the Gopis see a beautiful white boat and plan to take a carefree ride.

Song: 3
Ragam: Yadukuta Khamboji Talam: Misra Chapu
Adavarulella: The gopis invite Krishna to join them in fun and frotic. They try to distract him and sneak into the boat.

Slokam Puruschunu
Krishna tells us the Gopis not to venture on this adventure without mae help.

Pasi Balundu: The Gopis Reply oh moon faced Krishna you are a mere chold. Do you think you possets the strength to row a boat?

Song: 4 and 5
Conversation between Krishna and the Gopis
Gopis: How can we trust you Krishna why this arguments?
Krishna: You are Blithering out of ignorance have you forgotten that when the Mandara hill drowned I took the form of a turtle and bore it on my back?
Gopis: When we were bathing in the river did you not conceal our clothes?
Krishna: Did I not show mercy when Gajendra was caught in the crocodile’s mouth?
Gopis: offering to put vermillion on the forehead of damels did you not bite their lips?
Krishna: in the poisoned Kalindi did I not subjugate

Song: 6
Ragam: Saranga talam: Adi
Odani Jaripe Behold the grand spectacle of the Gopis dancing around Krishna and steering the boat. Some are singing the glories and chanting the name of Hari while others in effervescent glee are praying to Yamuna with pearl necklaces dangling daintily.

Song: 7
Ragam: Bhairavi Talam: Misra Chapu
Tanayade each Gopi thought that Krishna was infatutated with her and raced in abondom. As passions mounted Krishna took multiple forms and played individually with each gopi. He gazed lovingly at one gopi and listened interity to antohe. He played with the colorful clothes of one and the dainty feet of another. He talked merrily in consonance with their minds and made each one feel special.

Song: 8
Ragam: Devagandhari: Talam: Adi
Evaru Manaku: The Gopis exclaim that nobody equals them in beauty even the trinity Brahma Vishnu and Shiva had to suffer because they succumbed to the beauty of women.

Song: 9
Pongutaduchu: The gopis murmer among themselves that Krishna knows only how to mesmerize and hypnotise women but lacks the talent to row the boat Krishna hears the sarcasm in their voice and decides to teach them a lesson to curb their arrogance. He creates a violent storm that frightens to gopis.

Song: 10
Ragam: Saurashtram, Talam, Adi
Allakallola: The boat is being tossed about and there is utter confusion. The Gopis pray to the river Yamuna to protect them.

Song: 11
Ragam: Pnnagavarli, Talam: Misra Chapu
Krishna Makemi the Gopis beg Krishna to show them a way out of this unbearable Situation

Song: 12
Ragam: Varali, Talam, Misra Chapu
Indukemi: The Gopis get upset with Krishna’s frivolous suggestion. How can be consider them so cheap when they price honor above their lives. Krishna tells them to stop grumbling and mumbling and assures them that they can return home if they take his advice.

Song: 13
Ragam: Mohanam. Talam: Misra Chapu
Veda Vakyanani Even though they are overcome with shame the Gopis accept Krishna’s advice as the gospel truth and unrobe themselves to plug the holes in the boat with their garments.

Song: 14
Ragam: Punnagavarali: Talam: Adi
Hari Hari: The Gopis pray to Hari to give them access to his lotus feet as they wish to renounce the meaningless pleasure of this world.

Song: 15
Ragam: Punnagaval: Talam: Adi
Gandhanu Puyyeru: The Gopis celebrates their safe return by adorning Krishan with sandal paste vermillion and gossamer clother and dance with abandom.

Nattuvangam: Radha
Mridangam: M. Balachandar
Violin: T.K. Padmanabhan
Veena: R. Kannan
Talavadyam: G. Parthasarathy
Vocal: Sujatha Vijayaraghavan, Kanakadurga, Sunada Vijayaraghavan
Choreography: Radha
Krishna: Lavanya Venkat
Gopis: Rhadha, Sunanda Vijayaraghavan, Sumitra Vijayaraghavan
Sangita Vasudevan
Pavitra Srinivasan

This video is from the Doordarshan Archives.