Draupadi Cheerharan Gatbhav | Kathak by Shruti Patki

Gatbhav is a speciality of the abhinaya aspect of Kathak wherein a dancer unfolds a story or an incident using only the theka and lehra of (generally) drut Teentaal for accompaniment. As there is no literary help, the dominion of the dancer on abhinaya is tested while presenting Gatbhav. All the characters in the story are portrayed by the dancer alone who uses the palta (spin) to show change of place, time or character. This also highlights the ability of the dancer to fluently change from one character (and emotion) to another in a matter of seconds. Usually, Indian mythological incidents from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata or from the Bhagvat Puran are performed. Recently, many new concepts and ideas related to recent times are seen to be executed through this aspect of abhinaya.

This particular Gatbhav is based on the incident in Mahabharata where Draupadi was bet and lost by the eldest of the 5 Pandavas, Yudhishthir, in a game of die (dice). This game was being played against the Kauravas, who cheated, thereby stripping the Pandavas of their wealth, kingdom and honour. Draupadi was brought in court and Duryodhan, the eldest of the Kauravas, ordered his younger brother Dushyasan to strip her in front of the entire court. She appealed to everyone to help her and stop Dushyasan, but no one came to her rescue. Finally, she put her faith in Lord Krishna and prayed to Him to save her.