Story of Dakshayagam Depicted in Kathakali Dance Style.
Daksha, the son of Brahma (Hinduism mentions three principal deities: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) and his wife Prasuti adopted a girl child whom they had found in a conch shell. The child was called Sati. In due course she was given in marriage to God Shiva. Daksha considered Shiva as only his son-in-law and did not realize his greatness. Daksha treated God Shiva with contempt.
When Daksha decided to perform a great Yagna he proclaimed that the sacrificial offerings would not be proffered to Shiva. On hearing the performance of a Yagna by her father Sati pleads with Shiva to let her go to mainly see her sisters and family members. Shiva advises her not to go as he believes that Sati would not be treated with due respects. However Sati decides to go there and as predicted by Shiva she is ill treated, abused and sent away by Daksha. Sati could not bear this and immolates herself in the fire of the Yagna.
Shiva is terribly infuriated. He sends two of his formidable forces: Bhadrakali and Veerabhadra to destroy the Yagna performed by Daksha and to kill him. Both Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali arrive at the scene of the Yagna and as commanded by Shiva destroy the Yagna and behead Daksha.
On seeing this happen Brahma prays to Shiva to grant mercy to Daksha and give him life. Shiva relents and after a warning to Daksha places the head of a bull on Daksha and restores the life in him.
Kathakali is a stylized classical Indiandance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming. It is not only from Hindu mythology that stories have been enacted in the Kathakali dance format but even western plays such as Othello, Oedipus Rex, Julius Ceaser have been enacted thru the Kathakali style. Remarkable indeed.
