Tradition and culture mirror our ancestors whose life was largely characterised by the seamless integration of art, game and , festivities that celebrated life. This is being revived with Madanothsava a day-long carnival of art, culture, music and games on March 30.
“The day will be filled with beautiful moments that will linger in your memories,” according to Bharatanatya and Kathak dancers Nirupama and Rajendra of the Abhinava Dance Company who have worked on the spectacular Madanothsava that was part of ancient India more than a thousand years ago.
“This is the first time something like this would be happening in Bengaluru in hundreds of years, with support from the department of Culture and Tourism, and we are super thrilled,” says Nirupama who with her husband, Rajendra, shared details of the festival in an interview.
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Madanothsava sounds huge. Have you been working on this for a while?
Yes, there will be something for everybody here. Madanothsava or the spring festival was celebrated in ancient India where people celebrated the arrival of spring through music, dance, poetry, plays, games and community interaction. Vasantotsava (festival of Spring) was celebrated across the length and breadth of the country in ancient times. Sanskrit poetry has explored several dimensions of Vasanta and documented the festivities.
We got details of the heritage festival from the scholar Shathaavadhani R Ganesh. We have been working on this since December, researching, developing, and connecting with other artists. It would be an engaging day from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm with more than 200 artists from various fields and 140 volunteers working on costumes, props, ambience, marketing, food, games and announcements.
Could you talk of the genesis of the festival?
As dancers we always enjoy interacting with audiences. Normally the interaction between artist and audience in concerts are formal, and there is a gap between the spectator and the artist. Madanothsava will bridge this gap and help bring in an audience-connect as our tradition is about sharing and engagment. Through art we share aesthetics, feelings and energy.
Are the ancient games for more inclusiveness?
We are extending it wider to rope in children, families, senior citizens and the art community to experience camaraderie through traditional games, with a professional game conductor. We have revived games such as ‘Sahakaarabhanjikothsava’ where people go around a mango tree while a set of musicians play live music and at one point they have to jump together and clutch the mango with their teeth.
‘Char-Chari Nrithya’ is a dance mentioned by both Kalidasa and Vemabhupala of the Vijayanagara empire where people come together, clap and dance together.
We will have the renowned artist BKS Varma create paintings with audience input. Shathaavadhani Ganesh and his scholarly team will create poetry impromptu in ‘Aashu Kavithe’ with help from the audience.
So you have traced details of the 1600-year-old tradition?
Many other Indian literary works also mention the celebration of spring, which has now transformed into Holi. Madanothsava was celebrated even during the Vijayanagara Empire. From Kalidasa to Krishnadevaraya, the spring festival was celebrated with much pomp — from the fourth century CE till the 15th century. Ganesh has provided material from various authentic resources/literature/art for our celebrations. He has also given us the material to revive various games and activities celebrated in those times.
(Madanothsava will be on March 30, KH Kalasoudha, Ramanjaneya Temple Compound, Hanumantha Nagar, Basavanagudi)