Navarasa Shurpanakha | SANKHYA | Bharatanatyam | Sukanya Kumar | ft. Karthik Hebbar

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The phrase Haasyam Shoorpanakhamukhe (Which means Rama laughed looking at the voilently dismembered face of Shorpanakha) from Navarasa Ramayana has always disturbed me. I am not trying to rewrite history, I am just trying to re-read it. I was looking for a composition from Shurpanakha's perspective, when I came across Karthik Hebbar's creation...it was surreal to see how much our approach matched. It was like we were trying to say the same thing...in two different languages of art. Presenting Navarasa Gadhyam on Shurpanakha. Happy Womans' Day! Let us celebrate Woman's History Month....or should we say Herstory Month!
Karthik's post:
"Every time I sang the Ramayana Navarasa shloka, I would cringe at the phrase HASYAM SHOORPANAKHAMUKHE. The very natural inclusion of violence as something funny, I fail to digest no matter what interpretation of Dharma one would impose on me. Also I have a strong dislike for the fact that we only have writings of male scholars with us, all mythology is written with a male gaze!
I love taking poetic freedom in interpreting mythology by humanising all elements. who were asuras? Rakshasas? where they just people from a different region/ tribe who lived differently? did their nomadic life and sense of freedom look immoral to the other class who claimed to be superior?
With these questions In mind, here is a Navarasa Gadya I have written and composed dedicated to Shoorpanakhi."
Concept, Choreography and Performance: Sukanya Kumar
Cinematography and Edit: Gunindu Abeysekara
Musical Concept, Lyrics and rendition: Shri ‪@karthikhebbar‬
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/ gunindu_abeysekera_pho...
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Meaning:
Adbhuta Rasa - Ragam Vasanta
She saw Lakshmana, the beautiful long armed, lotus eyed, son of Kausalya, strong bodied and heroic brother of Rama...and saw with wonderment (Adbhuta)!
Shringara Rasa - Reetigowlai Raga
That bow, that arrow, that glowing face of his, that curly hair, that soft smile of his, those eyes of his, she gazed into...Love and desire (Shringara) blossomed in Shurpanakha
Bhaya Raga - Saveri Raga
Shall I go to him and express my desires? But the people from the Northern lands call us women from Lanka as Rakshasis! Will they mock me and reject me? Waves of these questions engulfed her in fear (Bhaya)
Haasya Rasa - Nalinakanti Raga
She disguised herself to look like one of them and stared at her own face in a pond of clear water. "I am not Shurpanakha...I am Chandranakha," she said. She roared with laughter (Haasyam) looking at her own transformation.
Veera Rasa - Bhairavi Raga
Head held high (with Veeram) she walked and spoke to Rama about her desires towards Lakshmana, fearlessly, without any shame
Roudra Rasa - Varali Raga
She looked at the brothers who dismembered her nose and ear. The oozing blood evaporated into red hued clouds due to the boiling rage (Roudram) of Shurpanakha
Karuna Rasa - Sahana Raga
"Oh elder brother, look at me.." said lShurpanakha lamenting (with Karuna). Showing her disfigured face to Ravana, "I begged for love and this is what they did to me. Is it fair?!" she cried breathlessly
Bheebhatsya Rasa - Ahiri Raga
In the light of the night, she stood in front of the mirror. "What mistake did I do?" she contemplated. "Was it a mistake to fearlessly express my love to a man, being a woman? Alas! why did I desire an egoistic man" she looked at herself in disgust (Bheebatsa) for desiring an egoistic man
Shanta Rasa- Ahir Bhairavi Raga
At dawn, a parrot stood by her window and sang. "The shining sun, the winds of Lanka, the singing parrot, don't see my face as misfigured...I must stop worrying about it then," she thought. after reliving all her emotions, she peacefully (Shantam) fed millets to the parrot.
#sukanyakumar #karthikhebbar #sankhya

[@valmikiprachetas8849]

A delightful performance, with a sensitive and subtle portrayal of Shurpanaka's perspective and her natural/humanistic emotional undercurrents. However, I need to take exception to the premise of this presentation. Let's take a closer look, shall we? Indeed, "... How can a culture that worships women, and celebrates diversity, stoop to the level of laughing at someone else's expense? Maybe Shurpanakha was a woman from a different culture. Maybe she was a woman in a man's world..." Or just maybe, Shurpanakha came from a culture that did not recognize Rama's 'pre-existing condition' (ie, his marital status). Or just perhaps, because Shurpanakha was a 'really sensitive woman' who threatened to kill (and eat!) another innocent woman, whose sole offence was to stand between her and her prize. Did Shurpanakha deserve immunity from prosecution (or perhaps, a presidential pardon!) solely on account of her gender??? Just wondering. As a matter of fact, there is no mention in Valmiki Ramayana, of Rama or Lakshmana mocking at Shurpanakha, AFTER she was disfigured. The phrase 'hAsyaM shUrpanakhA mukhE' refers to Rama and Lakshmanas' initial attempt to defuse the situation with some humor, BEFORE things really got out of hand. Do we still think that this is a 'his'torical problem? Surely, an objective re-reading of the epic is called for.

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you for your comment, your words of appreciation and analytical debate. I know my reply is late but I wanted to collect all my research and write in detail... 1.Rama's marital status: Polygamy was common at the time of Ramayana - this can be seen by the fact that Dasharatha himself was in a polygamous relationship. So Rama's marital status need not be a reason for Shurpanakha to not approach him. 2.When Shurpanakha threatened to kill (even sensitive people can feel that "all is fair in love"), let us remember that she did so after the matter escalated. The correct response of Rama should be rage/anger and valor - thus I am not saying that Rama or Lakshmana cutting her nose and ears as a defense was wrong. This should clarify that I am not giving her a pardon based on gender. 3. Valmiki Ramayana does not mention that Rama or Lakshmana laughed at Shurpanakha's dismembered face. That is why in my introduction, I would have mentioned that this is a response to the disturbing verse appearing in Sri Rama Karunamrutam, a work in the 17th Century. While Valmiki Ramayana is written as a Itihasa (a historical report) where Rama is portrayed as a righteous man, later works and culture saw Rama as God himself. This is interesting...the basis of Sanatana Dharma allows God figures to make mistakes...Brahma, Indra, Agni, Parvathi, we can name many! This was to show that there is both good and evil and that we all have a world that is shades of gray. Being as dharmic as possible was the path to moksha. 4. If the phrase 'hAsyaM shUrpanakhA mukhE' refers to Rama and Lakshmanas' initial attempt to defuse the situation with some humor, then why is it that it was sarcasm mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana? Also "mukhE" clearly means "face"...not situation or behavior. Assuming the "hAsyam" is before cutting, were they laughing because she was ugly? is not all creation beautiful? So if the laughing was after cutting nose and ears, then its even worse. My problem is with this...When Shurpanakha approaches Rama, why did Rama ask her to go to Lakshmana? Instead he could have simply said that, "Both of us believe in a monogamous relationship, Sorry" And then Lakshmana himself sarcastically mocks Sita's beauty and tells Shurpanakha that "he is a servant and that she should approach Rama instead." This misleading conversation is the only segment that I am bothered by. So, yes I think that it is a 'his'torical problem, not because Rama is a man, but because the people translating, decoding and analyzing the itihasas and preaching are themselves tutored in a male dominated world. If not, then I am sure that a culture that celebrates Kaali and her wildness, a culture that accepts all, male, female, transgender, young, old, dark, fair, family people and ascetics, trees, rivers, sun, moon, you, me...all as divine...this culture will not be comfortable mocking a disfigured woman!

[@Karthik_Kumar_5]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@SukanyaKumarThey were not laughing because of her looks, they laughed at her because of hearing the ridiculous thing she said, a random stranger woman coming and proposing would definitely feel laughable and silly, Ram thought she was being silly and he also acted silly, that's why he told her to go to Lakshman. And Lakshman sarcastically mocked Sita's beauty? Where was it written like that? I don't think he would do that, he doesn't even talk to Sita looking at her face because of respect. Even if she laughed at her disfigured face there's nothing wrong with it because she totally deserved it, she was trying to kill Sita. All is fair in love? But it's not love, it's just lust. Shurpanaka is not misunderstood character. This has become a habit of feminists to whitewashing every wicked female characters in history, myths and movies. What are you trying to prove? That women can never be evil? Some of the common justifications feminists say is, she did it because she had no other choice, patriachy made her do it, she had toxic upbringing etc. These are unacceptable justifications. Let the villains be villains, kids can easily identify good and bad from such characters. In modern hollywood movies they don't potray women as evil anymore, there'll give her a backstory to show us how she became the 'antagonist', villain is the correct term, the writers only do this with female villains cuz feminism. Re-reading or re-imagination is what y'all are calling it these days for twisting history and epics. Sukanya, your dance was good but the theme was bad.

[@srishtikuwait]

Wowwww... what a brave concept .. and I completely support each word you spoke.. beautiful presentation.. everything.. wonderful music by Karthik ji..

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your support and kind words!🙏🏻

[@akhtabbashasheikh5893]

LOVE SUKANYA N KARTHIK THANKS

[@poornimata5704]

Really liked this perspective on shoorpanakha. Have started looking at her with different eyes now. Wonderful expressions. Congratulations Sukanya and Karthik Hebbar on this beautiful and meaningful piece.

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you for your generous words of appreciation and support! It means a lot!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@snehalhere]

Sukanya.. This is incredible on so make levels. Your abhinaya is so captivating. And the transition from rasa to another is seamless. Loved the composition as well. As I teach our history and mythology to my daughter she questions why someone is considered better than others and it's truly thought provoking. The narrator sets the tone and who knows how these stories would've sounded from another perspective

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you for your kind words of appreciation. Yes its important to be able to answer our next generation with thought provoking concepts and a balanced approach...that is how our culture is built...with the freedom to question, analyze, understand and emulate. Glad you liked it 😊

[@beherozeshroff6298]

What an incredibly beautiful performance. Your abhinaya is enchanting. Thank you for your outstanding work, Sukanya. Camera work and lighting is perfect. as always!!

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation 🙏🏻

[@njanardhanan]

Graceful. Looking for more stories from 'her' perspective . Great story telling through music and dance

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much!

[@bijuchenicheri]

You have illustrated an untold story of soorpanagha in a diferent way. I feel a little wetness in the corner of my eyes while seeing this work.

[@snehacheralathan]

Very very beautiful ❤❤

[@shilpabr6528]

Could feel the emotions through your expressions. Beautiful Sukanya!

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@threeworlds131]

The dancer conveys a wide variety of emotions realistically - and she talks with her gestures. I understand that this version of the story is to counter the disparagement of a woman based on appearance, and to disparage any kind of acceptance of violence to women, certainly values to be accented. However as I understand the story Shurpanakha approached Vrshi Rama as a lover, knowing He was betrothed to Sita...which is adultery, so she was punished. Strange how monogamy seems to appear as a religious institution with Christianity, which is one of the few good fruits of these people.

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your words of appreciation 🙏 Yes, this version is a contemporary and counter viewpoint to how sometimes (Itihasas) epics can be read without disclaimers and thus may inculcate values that the original author never meant to pass on. Even if in some versions, Sita approached Rama...in that era, Dasaratha could have many wives, thus proving that polygamy was not being considered adulatory. Whose influence is monogamy is not the debate here. It is just an observation that the intolerance to an independent voice and opinion of a woman cannot be reciprocated with violence. There are layers of issue here: Gender, economic and racial inequality...just something to think about...

[@harish4281]

No words, simply it’s perfect reaction of every navarasa.

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thanks a ton!

[@geetraju2003]

A new perspective of Shurpanaka.. nice performance..👏👏👏

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much!

[@manithomas5509]

Unable to move attention from your cute countenance, because it's so wonderful with graceful expressions! Dear, yu are so gifted! The world needs more from yu! May God bless yu more and more........... Falling in luv with yu and yur dance! Magical movements!

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you for your constant support!🙏🏻

[@lenushaananthakumar6247]

❤

[@manithomas5509]

Regret that i didn't give a notice initially😔 When i watched it again, i felt i didn't do justice to yu and yur work! Sorry ! Yur work must be subject of research for bharathanatyam students! The inimitable Sukanya! I fall in luv and adoration for yur works! Great dear! Go on.... enthralling the audience wuth yur magic! Luv yu ever♥️❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SukanyaKumar]

Humbled by your kind comment. Your support means a lot. And I am sure you know, but this ancient living form is supposed to be understood and experienced in layers that can go deeper and deeper. Every time we dance or watch...we experience something more...something different...thats the beauty isn't it!?!

[@ashokashtekar4265]

OMG... Supra Expressions.. Simply Magnificent.. Apratim..!!!

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation 🙏

[@swamikri]

Beautiful !

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thanks!

[@bhavyaantharanga1407]

Wow. No words explain this act

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation and support🙏🏻

[@subhashininarayanan8051]

Can't express my exact feelings....navarasam is so nice🙏

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much! 🙏

[@hallielyu9864]

Sukanya，you are truly talented~ plz keep going

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@prarthanapandit1207]

What an outstanding performance....a different take....just loved it❤

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation 🙏🏻🙏🏻 means a lot!

[@aestheticdancestudio5918]

This mesmerizing ❤️❤️❤️

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you so muah 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@edbramfitt2300]

Sukanya.. this 4u🌹 follow your heart without fear, this story is now a part of your story. so compelling your intelligence is, so enchanting your demeanor, take care it not devour the egos of the ones that you persue, for they will stand beside you .... Karthik too. btw .. the hair ... wow .. did you grow in lockdow〰️〰️〰️🍃🌱🌿🤗

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you for your supportive words🙏🏻

[@edbramfitt2300]

@@SukanyaKumar @Sukanya Kumar @Sukanya Kumar ma'am ❤️ the point of writing is that it can be re-read.. many times over. you have drawn a picture that is a wholesome response to what is now clearly deemed unacceptable and at the time would surely have been provocative, like much contemporary storytelling it today. It attracts the attention of the great unwashed and washed alike. .🌹. much respect. take care.. i love the piece.

[@SukanyaKumar]

@@edbramfitt2300 yes..its true that history is documented to read, reread, question, discuss, understand and learn...its important to stay balanced in our approaches and identities to avoid fanaticism in any side. Thank you for your support and kind words of appreciation

[@swamikrishnananda9570]

Sundaram ❤️.Herstory.

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you🙏🏻

[@bnmohan9168]

Lovely ❤️

[@SukanyaKumar]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@dhivyagopalakrishnan2638]

This song is sung puzhakodi Praveen sir I'm I correct 💯 percent 🤔 ans my question maam

[@SukanyaKumar]

The song is sung by Shri Karthik Hebbar. Please check the credits I have given both in the video and in the description box below

[@dhivyagopalakrishnan2638]

Okay thank you ma'am

[@Muskan-mm2sq]

Mam Can you give me online navarasam class

[@SukanyaKumar]

@@Muskan-mm2sq Sure. Please dm me on my Instagram

[@arindambanerji]

Kata laga?

[@SukanyaKumar]

Didn't understand your comment. Can you pls explain?

[@HarishKumar-lz2yf]

Which district your from?

[@SukanyaKumar]

I have been and thus belong to many places, cultures and ideas...are you asking my place of birth?

[@HarishKumar-lz2yf]

@@SukanyaKumar yes place of birth?

[@SukanyaKumar]

@@HarishKumar-lz2yf Mumbai

[@hariraistudios1036]

This is horrible. Surpanaka was trying to KILL SITA, how do you justificate that and have de bravery to said Rama is bad and the Hindu vedas are machist???? Wow... You are a Rakshasa.

[@vigneshnehru9822]

When you have boiled down sanatama dharma which is such a broad and diverse LIFESTYLE to merely and religion and wave literature like a commandment and punish artistic interpretation, you are no different than the colonizers who wanted impose their lifestyle and murdered those who were the opposite. You would be loved by the colonizers if they were alive today