‘Meghaduta’- A truly refreshing experience
On Nov. 22, Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha, Mysuru, brought a unique programme to the connoisseurs of Mysuru. A 100-minute Gamaka Vachana by Vidu. Samudyata Mattur and Vyakhyana by the well-known Sanskrit Scholar Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao brought Kalidasa’s most famous work ‘Meghaduta’ to life.
The gist of the story is Yaksha, a subject of Kubera, carries garlands made by his wife to his master Kubera for worship. One day, fascinated by the flowers, the Yaksha’s wife wears the garland before sending it with the Yaksha to Kubera. Kubera is furious to see a long string of her hair in the garland and curses the Yaksha thus: ‘For a year from now you will be banished and will suffer pangs of separation from the one for whom you committed this sin. And you will be deprived of your supernatural powers.’
‘Meghaduta’ describes how the Yaksha, after being exiled for a year from his master for neglecting his duties, convinces a passing cloud to relay a message to his wife at Alaka on Mount Kailasa in the Himalaya mountains. The Yaksha accomplishes this by describing the many beautiful sights the cloud will see on its northward course to the city of Alaka, where his wife awaits his return. The Yaksha’s loneliness does not fulfil his desires. He pleads the cloud to carry a message of love for his wife.
It is said that Kalidasa composed this work keeping in mind Sri Rama’s separation from Sita for an year when she was in Ashokavana in Lanka.
When, at the beginning of a monsoon, a cloud perches on the peak, he asks it to deliver a message for his love in the Himalayan city of Alaka. The Yaksha praises the cloud first as he has a request to make: ‘You help everyone. I see you as the messenger of Indra. I have been separated from my beloved. Please be my messenger and carry my message to my dear wife. I will guide you the route map to Alaka where my wife is waiting eagerly for my return.’ And he continues to direct the route map to Alaka. It is amazing to note how Kalidasa was a master of geography. The route that he goes onto direct is still the route today.
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