Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Pavanapuresha-Series

Pavanapuresha series part 9: Manaveda Raja & the greatness of Krishnattam.

Manaveda Raja (Zamorin king of Calicut : I apologize for having earlier referred to the Zamorin kings as having ruled from Cochin, instead of Calicut) was another great devotee of the Lord. He was a disciple of Vilwamangalam Swamiyar & by his grace was able to have visions of the Lord.

Manaveda Raja was the author of Krishnattam. Krishnattam (dance of Krishna) is a temple art form unique to Guruvayur. It is a dance drama based on the Sanskrit hymn 'Gita Govinda' (song of Govinda) composed by 12th century Bengali poet Jayadeva. The Raja wrote a series of 8 dramas called Krishnagiti/Krishnattam representing

important incidents in Krishna's life - 'Avatara' (birth),

'Kaliyamardana' (subduing the snake Kaliya),

'Rasakrida' (Rasleela),

'Kamsa Vadha' (killing of Kamsa),

'Swayamvara'(marriage to Rukmini),

'Banayudha'(defeat of Banasura),

'Vividha Vadha' (killing various demons) &

'Swargarohana' (ascent to heaven).

Each story is enacted on a day but since the last one is considered inauspicious, 'Avatara' is again enacted after that.

Once the Raja in his excessive devotion to Krishna actually spotted Him playing in the temple. He rushed to embrace the Lord, who disappeared instantly. However the Raja managed to get hold of a peacock feather adorning the Lord's hair. He used it to decorate the crown of Krishna which was used as part of the Krishnattam costume for many years. Krishnattam is staged after the temple is closed & must be completed before the temple opens at 3 am, since it is believed that the Lord comes to watch every performance.

Hare Krishna