Raslila (Braj)

Understand

Where Raslila (Braj) comes from

Raslila (literally 'dance of the nectar of divine love') is the devotional dance-drama of the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, enacting the blissful dance of Krishna with Radha and the gopis of Vrindavan, as described in the Bhagavata Purana and celebrated poetically in the 12th century Gita Govinda by Jayadeva. The dramatic performance tradition of Braj is anchored in the 16th century, when the Bhakti-movement saints of Braj — particularly Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) and his son Vitthalnath — codified the performance of Raas-leela in the temples of Braj, particularly in the eight svarupa-mandirs of the Pushti-marg tradition. From the 16th century onward, distinctive Braj traditions of Raas-leela emerged — the Ashtachap poets of the Braj region further developed the lyrical-rhetorical repertoire. Today Raas-Leela is recognised as one of the most celebrated devotional-dance traditions of Hindu Braj culture and is performed in temples of the Haridas tradition of the Braj region. Related traditions include the Manipuri Raas of Manipur (an offshoot from Braj), Braj Kirtana, and the Uttar Mandi tradition of Raslila in temples across India.

How it's practiced

Raslila is performed in the temples and open courtyards of Braj by troupes of young boys (and increasingly girls and women in modern practice) who depict Krishna, Radha, the sakhis (girl-friends) and the gopis. The dance is built on a graceful circular step, with the participants moving in concentric circles in time to the sung Raas songs (the Hindustani classical adaptation of the Gita Govinda) and the tabla and jhanka accompaniment. The narrative passages describe the play of Krishna with Radha and the sakhis, the search for the lost Krishna, the discourse of Radha with the sakhis, and the central Raas of the full moon night of Sharad Purnima. Costume is the elaborate Braj-style Krishna-Radha dress — the pitambara (yellow silk) of Krishna with the peacock-feathered head-dress, the braj-bashind of Radha in the colour red with gold zari work, the heavy silver jewellery of the gopis, and the flower garlands that pervade the performance.