January - 2014 Odisha Review

Sri Ballav Natak

Dr. Bishnupriya Otta

Sri Jagannath Ballav Drama is a popular In knowledge, wisdom, art, wealth as well Drama of 16th century. It is written by Utkaliya as in prestige Rayramananda was an established Kabi Rayaramananda in Sanskrit language. Now personality of the then Orissa. He had followed the book is translated by me in Odia. Some the path of ‘Raganuga Bhakti Marga’. Sanskrit and Literature written by Vaishnavisim of Orissa had created a wave among Rayaramananda has enriched Indian Literature. the philosophers of India. By his extraordinary Sri Jagannath Ballav Natak is one of those literary intelligence he has given the Utkaliya people a jewels particularly it is liked very much by the high position in the religious field of not only in lovers of Sanskrit literature and especially by the India but also in the whole world. Vaishnavites. It is one of the rare jewels of the After accepting Sanyas, Sri Chaitanya Indian literature of 16th century. and had come to Orissa in 1510 while he was art of drama from both sides, this drama has undertaking his pilgrim tour to south. He met tremendous importance. It is a great gift of Orissa Rayramananda in the river bank of Godavari and to the Indian Literature of middle ages. after listening to him, he had told “I only need During 1510 Vaishnavism had made a your companion. You please come to ‘ great improvement because of the arrival of Sri Dham’ and we will spend our time on ‘ Chaitanya and the efforts of Panchasakha. Starting katha’. agreed to his proposal and from the reign of Ganga dynasty till the had spent his last 18 years at Puri in religious establishment of world famous Lord Jagannath discourses and writing various poems in the company of Sri Chaitanya. Though Ramananda temple, Vaishnavism had the famous Jagannath had not accepted ‘Sanyas’ Chaitanya had Ballav Natak in which he had emphasized the accepted him as a fellow Sanyasi and had importance of love in achieving religious described him as a religious devotee. excellence. He had dedicated this drama to king Prataprudra Dev. Rayramananda was “Amee ek batul extraordinarily a religious man. His literary Tumee dutiya batul contribution to the Vaishnav culture appears to Ataeb tomar amar be extraordinary. So Chaitanya Charitamrutakar Samatul.” has written : Rayramananda is the first and famous “Ramanander Krishna katha analyst of Goudiya ‘Premabhakti Tatwa’. Swaruper gan Chaitanya had also accepted the importance of Biraha Bedanaye Prabhu Ramananda’s philosophical dedications. He has Rakhahe paran.” told –

89 Odisha Review January - 2014

“Yeh shab sikhaila more of ‘Gitagovinda’ and ‘Sri Jagannath Ballav Rayramananda Natak’. In this drama out of total nine characters, Rayar Prabha be sikhinu there are four male characters and five female Brajer prem bhab.” characters. (Chaitanya Charitamruti) In Sanskrit Literature the heros are of In Ramananda’s Drama the of Sri four types. They are ‘Dhiradatta’, ‘Dhiralalita’, Krishna has been described in depth. The author ‘Dhirodhatta’ and ‘Dhira Prasanta’. The best has described the Lila of Sri Krishna and Sri character is ‘Dhiralalita’ which Sri Krishna . This subject has already been described possesses. His character is that of a total lover in ‘Puran’. So the drama is started with Mu’aris’ (Mugha pranayee) who wants to be united with dance. Thereafter the Gopanganas during His beloved. The Heroin of the drama Sri Radha conversation with each other have described the is always anxious to meet Sri Krishna to talk with beauty of Sri Krishna’s face as well as His beauty. Him and to get His company. Besides Bidusaka In forest Hero Sri Krishna is wandering with His and Madhu-mangala, two good supportive Sakha Bidusaka and He starts playing ‘Bansi’ at characters and they are well reflected as ‘Krishna His friends request. Hearing the melody of His Sakhas’. Likewise ‘Madhabika’, ‘Sasimukhi’ and flute the feeling of the romantic love arose in the ‘Ashokamanjari’ are the Bosom friends of Radha. heart of Sri Radha. So she comes to the forest All the supportive characters both in male and shamelessly with her Sahacharis. By seeing each female side have held a lot in their union. other each is attracted towards the other as the Sri Jagannath Ballav Natak is a Purana magnet attracts the iron. Then during the absence based drama and religious oriented. The of Sri Krishna, Sri Radha feels the pang of philosophy of Vaishnavs is reflected here. Behind separation. the drama of this Radha Krishna and ’ The drama is divided into five parts. In Milan, creater Ramananda has only seen Lord the first part both Sri Krishna and Sri Radha have Jagannath. Who is the soul of Odias as well as expressed their intense feeling for each other. The Hindus. He had proved that, Sri Krishna and friends of Radha advise her not to follow this path Jagannath are one and the same. ‘Jagannath of extramarital relationship. The second part is Ballav’ drama is one of the efforts to popularize named as ‘Bhaba Pariksha’ the third part is Sri Chaitanya's philosophy in Orissa. named as ‘Bhaba Pariksha’ where the total The Achintyavedaved Tatwa’ of Ray dedication of Sri Radha to Sri Krishna is Ramananda is a great discovery of his philosophy. described. In the 4th part the separation of Sri Basing on that Tatwa he has created his ‘Jagannath Krishna and her emotional out burst in the Ballav’ Natak. The fellow feelling of Jiba Param separation is described as ‘Sri Radha Abhisara’. and their indivisibility (Abhedatwa) was already In the fifth part the union of Radha and Krishna is written in Indian philosophy but to express that exhibited. The facts of the drama is well known philosophy clearly ‘Sri Jagannath Ballav Natak’ to the audience. But the way it is expressed and is a unique effort. So in the Dramatic literature his the continuity of the drama is maintained in that contribution has to be acknowledged. the anxiety and the pleasure have been maintained till the last scene. The audience can not leave from the middle of the drama. It seems Ramananda has been influenced by 's Gitagovind. There seems to be a Dr. Bishnupriya Otta, Reader in Odia, P. G. Dept. of Odia, lot of similarities in the love story of Radha Krishna Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar – 751004.

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