Danseuse Neelakshi Rai left the audience spellbound with her performance in the dance drama Amrapali
In the dance drama Amrapali, staged at Kamani Auditorium, danseuse Neelakshi Rai left the audience spellbound with her mesmerising performance. Neelakshi, who played the role of Amrapali gracefully and piognantly, traced the life of Amrapali.
Amrapali is the story of a woman who was phenomenally beautiful and renowned for her charm. She lived in the city of Vaishali, the capital of the licchavi clan, one of the eight Kshatriya clans that had united to form the Vajjian confederacy.
Amrapali was the most beautiful woman in the city. King Manudev, king of Vaishali made her his nagar vadhu (bride of the city) and she was conferred the Vaishali Janpad Kalayani (it was the term given to the most beautiful and talented girl of the kingdom. She was selected for a period of seven years and was given a palace. She also had the right to choose her lover). Afterwards, as per the Vaishali democracy rules, Amrapali became a court dancer.
Ajatashatru, the owner of Magadh and surrounding states once raided Vaishali owing to a dispute with his brothers. He knocked over Vaishali troops but was wounded in the process. He hid his identity, took the armour of an injured licchavi soldier and sought refuge in Amrapali’s house. She took pity on him, mistaking him for a soldier of her own land and spared no efforts for his recovery. They eventually came close and love was blossoming when the people of Vaishali discovered the real identity of Ajatashatru.
Amrapali was imprisoned after being arrested on grounds of helping the enemy while Ajatashatru managed to escape the land. She was termed traitor who betrayed the people of her own land. Hearing of her imprisonment, Ajashatru launched an attack on the city. His attack was so fast that licchavi soldiers could not stop him. Inspired by the spirit of revenge, Ajatashatru dismantled the entire city and set it on fire. Everything was burnt to ashes except Amrapali. Amrapali was injured, frightened and felt miserable.
It was then that she realised that it was because of her that her homeland was suffering — that life was perishable. It was at this point in life that she identified her intense desire to adopt Buddhism. She invited lord Buddha and offered meals to him. She eventually gave up her life as a courtesan and accepted a Buddhist way of life.
Ajatashatru was moved by Amrapali’s dedication for Buddhism. He, too, decided to sacrifice the worldly pleasure and sought the path of peace, non-violence, tolerance, love and brotherhood.
photos Alwin Singh
