Poetry in the monsoon

At an upcoming workshop, discuss and learn from Sanskrit poet Kalidasa’s Meghaduta

From ancient Sanskrit poets to contemporary Bollywood lyricists, the drizzly Indian monsoon has been a muse for creative minds across generations. One of the greatest odes to the rains is Sanskrit author Kalidasa’s lyric poem, Meghaduta (The Cloud Messenger), which details the story of a banished yaksha, or nature spirit, who calls upon a passing cloud to carry a message to his beloved wife in the Himalayas. And this week, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is conducting an eight-session workshop to interpret select verses from the poem.

Titled Monsoon with Meghdhoot, the virtual workshop will not just focus on the poem, but also explore Kalidasa’s penmanship in elevating a mundane, natural phenomenon — the rains. Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, head of dance, NCPA, shares, “Kalidasa is one of the greatest poets of ancient India. Some people say he was born in Ramtek, Maharashtra; others suggest he lived in Ujjain and Kalinga.

[Meghaduta] is one of his most popular works.” In ancient literature, different types of messengers were common. But the poet chose beautiful monsoon clouds as messengers, she asserts. “It is a fascinating and poetic description of India’s landscape as the yaksha describes the path that the cloud needs to follow to reach the Himalayas. The best thing about this piece of Sanskrit literature is how it takes one concept and elaborates it in such beautiful ways. For instance, when yaksha sees the cloud, to him, it seems like an elephant drinking water,” explains Dasgupta.

The workshop will be beneficial for any creative professional, Dasgupta points out. The 90-minute-long weekly sessions will be helmed by poet and Sanskrit scholar Dr Rishiraj Pathak; guest speakers include Piyal Bhattacharya, dancer and researcher of Natyashastra, visual artist Subodh Poddar, and costume designer Sandhya Raman. Participants will get to discuss 24 chosen shlokas from the 100-plus verses. The workshop aims to make Sanskrit works more accessible to people, as Dr Pathak will be speaking in Hindi. “Guest speakers will elaborate on the costume of the yaksha; how the set design would be if you had to make a live presentation for a play, a dance recital, or a music video; the colour schemes; movements, etc. It’s a way to showcase how one literary work can translate into another work or form of art,” Dasgupta reveals.

Considering the dark, grey skies looming over us, now’s a good time to experience the workshop. “We’re already in the mood. If you’re a creative person, it’s impossible that you haven’t noticed the clouds, or your thoughts haven’t wandered off with them,” Dasgupta reminds us.

On: July 7 onwards; Wednesdays at 6.30 pm
Email: kpuranik@ncpamumbai.com 
Call: 8879114939
Cost: Rs 2,000

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