Kalyana Sougandhikam

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• Kalyana Sougandhikam
• by
• Kottayam Tampuran
• (17th Century)

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Cast Crew

• Bhima Sadanam Balakrishnan
• Hanuman Sadanam Bhasi
• Draupadi Sadanam Sreenathan

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Cast Crew

• Vocal Sadanam Sivadasan
• Kalamandalam Rajesh Menon
• Chenda Sadanam Ramakrishnan
• Maddalam Sadanam Devadasan
• Edakka Sadanam Ramakrishnan
• Chutti Sadanam Sreenivasan
• Aniyara Sadanam Vivek

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Background

• Kalyana Sougandhikam is one of the most popular
  Kathakali play composed by Kottayam Thampuran, in
  the 17th century and considered as the best
  classical literature among the whole Kathakali
  repertoire. Encounter between two step brothers,
  both sons of wind God Vayu, the monkey chief
  Hanuman and the second of Pandava brothers the
  mighty Bhima, is one of the highly dramatic
  scenes on Kathakali stage.
• The story is taken from the great Indian epic
  Mahabharata, Vana Parva. The five Pandava
  brothers were in exile. One day Bhima, the second
  of Pandava brothers, is enjoying the company of
  his wife Draupadi in a very beautiful natural
  surroundings of Naranarayanashramin the valley
  of mount Himalaya.

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Scene 1 (Part 1a)

• The climate is very much enjoyable, especially
  for the lovers. In the gentle wind from the
  Malaya mountain the Jasmine creepers are swinging
  gracefully. In this appreciable surroundings and
  joyful occasion, Bhima who is in amorous mood
  talks these pleasing words to his consort.
• The cuckoos are singing with Panchama note. The
  nature is so pleasant. Oh, you one who have sweet
  sound like a parrot, please come on the marble
  surface and let us enjoy,
• O dear, your beautiful flickering eyes defeats
  the eyes of the scary deer.
• At this time a celestial flower flies and falls
  in front of Draupadi which she picks up and
  approaches Bhima.
• Draupadi O, dear, look at this flower in my
  hand. .If you are kind enough, I am of sure that
  I will get more flowers of this kind.

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Scene 1 (Part 1b)

• Bhima It is difficult to find such beautiful
  flowers anywhere on earth. I am so much
  interested (to get such flowers), O lotus eyed
  one.
• Whatever it may be, other than their own Husband,
  a true wife will not disclose their desires.
• Bhima O doe eyed one, the Sougandhika flowers,
  on which you have great desire I will get them
  immediately. Even if from the top of the
  mountain, or from the heaven I have no difficulty
  to get them, and to fulfill your wish. O you the
  most beautiful one, the flickering glance of your
  long eyes, overwhelmed with love, which will
  always try to follow me on my way, will be the
  food for my journey.
• Bhima For me? This club which is capable of
  destroying even the mightiest enemies will always
  be in my hand to overcome all the obstructions.

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Scene 1 (Part 2a)

• Bhima is in the thick forest somewhere near the
  mount Gandhamadana. He scale the huge mountain
  with his eyes.
• Bhima Here is the mountain Gandhamadana in front
  of me. On the mountain, different minerals in
  various colors flows from the rocks, glitters in
  the sun shine. The thick black clouds on top of
  the mountain resembles as if the smoke emerges
  from the forest fire of the valley is collected
  there.
• Let me now climb the mountain. Here the forest
  interlocked with thick and long creepers and huge
  trees with large branches makes hurdles on my
  way. Different wild animals freely wanders around
  making different noise.

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Scene 1 (Part 2b)

• There are peacock dancing and monkeys are playing
  on top of the trees.
• Look at the mighty tusker strolling in the thick
  jungle. Brakes the branches of the trees, eats
  the leaves, pours dust and mud on its back and
  finally relaxes. A huge python crawls toward the
  elephant and catch hold of its back foot.
  Elephant tries to get rid of the python and
  python tries to tighten its grip. While the
  struggle between the wild beasts is at its peak,
  a hungry lion watching the fight, don't want to
  miss this opportunity. It jumps on the elephant's
  back, hits and split opens its head, drinks the
  blood and eat its flesh. After getting satisfied,
  the lion jumps off from the Elephant. Poor
  elephant could not stand the double attacks. It
  collapses and takes its last breath The huge
  python swallow the elephant! (witnessing such
  incidences Bhima proceeds further by removing the
  obstacles with the mace.)

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Scene 2 (Part 1)

• Hanuman seated as if in deep meditation. His
  concentration is disturbed. He thinks for the
  reason, Why my mind disturbed? according to the
  blessing of Rama, my meditation cannot be
  disturbed until the end of the universe.
• He looks around. The time not yet came for the
  world's destruction, the trees and the creepers
  are with full of new leaves, buds, flowers and
  fruits. The birds are flying in the sky. The
  animals makes different sounds and flees to hide
  themselves. So this is not the time for the end.
  Now he listens some terrifying noise and search
  for the reason. He sees some body approaching
  from far. Here comes someone shining with golden
  glow. He carries a conch and a club in his hand.
  Who may be this? Let me find out

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Scene 2 (Part 2a)

• Hanuman Who is this , coming from far? Is there
  no body to challenge him? He is approaching
  through the forest with full of arrogance.
• The herd of elephants losing all their courage
  and pride are running away.
• The lions are really terrified and are trying to
  hide themselves in their dens.
• I wonder, why a special affection and compassion
  develops in my mind? (A special dance
  sequenceAshtakalasamchoreographed by Padmasree
  Guru Keezhupadam Kumaran Nair Asan is presented
  here.)
• Anilasuthan ivan ente... Alas this is my younger
  brother, son of Wind God.
• Now I must know his divine strength.

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Scene 2 (Part 2b)

• Bhima's cousin Duryodhana tried to kill him by
  poisoning and throwing him in the river. He
  reached the nether world, where the king of
  cobras saved him and gave him some special divine
  drinks by which Bhima obtained a special
  strength) and I must make him understand my
  divine power as well.
• Hail to you O Rama hail to you, who is the most
  attractive in whole universe. Hail to you Rama
  the destroyer of evil demon Ravana. Salutation to
  you, Husband of Mother Sita.
• Hanuman (action, only with percussion) He is
  coming in his full vigor removing all the
  obstacles on his way. If he proceeds further with
  such an arrogance, he may be cursed by the
  celestials. So I must stop him, and guide him to
  the safe route. Being a king, (kshathriya) he
  will not be ready to return back or change his
  way even if there is obstacles. Now I will assume
  myself as an old and weak monkey and lie on his
  way as obstruction.
• Hanuman prays Lord Rama and assumes as an old
  monkey and lies on the way by which Bhima is
  approaching.

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Scene 2 (Part 3a)

• Bhima arrives as Hanuman described. Brake the
  trees with his club, throws them away and
  proceeds. He is annoyed to see an old monkey
  blocking his path.
• Bhima Get out of my way, you dirty monkey! If
  you are not ready to move away, I will rush to
  you with full rage, catch hold of your throat and
  throw your fat body away and will proceed. If you
  stay idle without any fear, I will beat you and
  break you into pieces. Get out of my way, you
  dirty old monkey.
• Bhima tries to lift the tail, but fails. He tries
  again with full effort, only to lose his club and
  he collapses.
• Bhima tries his best to remove the tail, but
  could not even move the tip of it. Bhima lost his
  courage and pride. His face is down with shame.
  He speaks with humility to the great monkey.
• Bhima enquires who the monkey is, convinced that
  he is not a mere old monkey and asks him to
  disclose his identity.
• Bhima No other living creature has the same
  strength as you. So please disclose your
  identity.

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Scene 2 (Part 3b)

• Hanuman (in his real form) I am the messenger of
  Rama the destroyer of Ravana, your elder brother
  and my name is Hanuman.
• Bhima salute Hanuman with full respect and
  Hanuman hug him affectionately
• Bhima My childish words which I uttered, please
  don't take it as. I prostrate on your feet O
  brother, show mercy on me.
• O, elder brother, The divine form by which you
  crossed the ocean, I am having very much desire
  to see the same.
• Hanuman If you are very much interested, look at
  my form, but don't be afraid and get exhausted. I
  will try to make it as small as possible.
• Bhima sees the gigantic form and collapses.
  Hanuman consoles Bhima and reminds him of the
  mission of getting the flower.
• Hanuman Don't be afraid of, O Bhima. listen my
  words.
• Be cheerful, O' you destroyer of enemy's
  prosperity.

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Scene 2 (Part 3c)

• Without any delay try to full fill the desire of
  your beloved who speaks so sweet as a parrot.
• Bhima There will be a terrific war against
  Kauravas. O' the mightiest one, at that occasion,
  be with us and destroy the enemies.
• I will be on the flag of the Chariot of your
  brother Arjuna, son of lord Indra. With the
  terrifying roar I will destroy the enemies.
• Hanuman inquire about the wellbeing of other
  Pandava brothers. He guides Bhima to the proper
  way to get the divine flower. Bhima takes leave
  from his brother. But is in a confusion, to go
  without his club. Hanuma after teasing Bhima
  little bit, return the club with the advice that
  never be angry or fight with weak, ladies and
  those flee from fight. The brothers depart in
  touching feelings of emotion.