Garuda Garva Bhangam - Excerpt 5

The fifth excerpt from Garuda Garva Bhangam, an Ottan Thullal play is presented here. In this part the artiste describes Hanuman’s reaction to Garuda’s request. Hanuman abuses Lord Krishna. ‘Krishna, that senseless one of the cowherd clan… Arjuna’s charioteer… one who has no sense or sensibility… who steals butter and milk…Its not befitting of me to visit him…I am Anjana’s son’, says Hanuman.

Story
Lord Krishna, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, decides to humble the arrogance of his carrier Garuda, the King of birds. He commands Garuda to bring Hanuman, the monkey god and ace warrior. Hanuman is a devotee of Lord Rama, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He resides in the Kadali Groves, constantly chanting the name of his master. When Garuda calls out to him, Hanuman realizes Krishna’s aim. He tells Garuda that he cannot accompany him, as he has no respect for Krishna. An angry Garuda challenges Hanuman to a duel and in the end receives a humiliating defeat.

Artiste
Performing here is Kalamandalam Geethanandan, a master Thullal artiste. At present, he is the Head of the Department of Thullal at Kerala Kalamandalam, the premiere training centre for Kerala’s classical arts.