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The young princess Parvathi is seen is seen enjoying the beauties of nature in spring with her companions.
Manmatha, the God of Love approaches her with Narada’s blessings.
We are transported to the Himalayas where Shiva is in deep meditation. Manmatha enters and strikes his arrow at the end disturb his
tapas. Shiva opens his third eye and reduces Manmatha into ashes.
Parvathi has succumbed to the God of Love and is propitiating Shiva to come to her. He arrives disguised as a young saint to test her love for him.
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When he reveals his identity, Parvathi falls at his feet, and surrenders herself to the Lord.
This scene describes the preparations made for the Devin marriage of Shiva and
Parvathi.
Parvathi’s beauty and goodness are delineated in this scene. She describes the true significance of the
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ARDHANAREESWARA concept.
The marriage nuptial of Shiva and Parvathi are portrayed in the last scene in a unique dance sequence.
The story of Rukmini and Krishna is found in the Mahapurana Srimad
Bhagavatham. Rukmini is a Vidarbha Princess. Her father Bhishmaka was never tired of listening to Narada’s descriptions of Lord Krishna. He was convinced that He was the perfect husband for his daughter, but his son Rukmi treated the “cowherd” with contempt and did his best to prevent the marriage. “Kalyana Rukmini” is the story of Rukmini’s single- minded devotion to Krishna which finally united them.
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The princess Rukmini is shown through a veil (yavanika) in typical Kuchipudi tradition. She sees Krishna in peacock feathers, hears his flute in her imagination and dances in ecstasy to his music.
Sri Krishna is surrounded by His devotees, the gopikas, who sing the glory of all His Incarnations. They speak about Rukmini’s devotion and
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love for Him. Krishna listens since Narada has already aquatinted him with these facts.
In this scene, Rukmini is seen spurning the portraits of different heroes like Jarasandha and others. She openly displays Her adoration for Krishna. Her brother Rukmi becomes furious and insists that she marry his friend
Shishupala, whose virtues he extols. Rukmini remains adamant and Rukmi’s anger explodes.
Shishupala is enjoying himself in the company of courtesans. Rukmi seeks him out and talks about his sister’s infatuation for Krishna. Shishupala assures him that he alone will marry Rukmini despite all obstacles.
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Rukmini becomes dejected when she finds her wedding arrangements being finalized. She neither eats nor sleeps. Finally, on the advice of her companions, she composes a letter to Sri Krishna where she pours out her heart. She pleads with him to come and save her from a fate worse than death. Agnidyothana is her courier to
Dwaraka.
Krishna is in the midst of his Leelas when he has a premonition of Rukmini’s suffering. He hears her call out to him to rescue her. Just then, her letter is delivered to Him. He replies with a reassurance that He will save her.
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