Bharatakalanjali was commissioned to produce in a dance drama form, the mythological story describing the emergence of the celestial physician Dhanwanthari, by the Corporate body Medimix Company for the occasion of the World conference on Ayurveda-2000 (The Indian indigenous practice system of medicine). First time presented on 28th January 2000.

This is a massive group production involving 50 dancers and musicians. The Samskritam texts have been compiled from Bhaagavatam (ancient scripture of mythology by Vyasa the great sage) and a few songs written by Dhananjayan himself in Samskritam language. The original music is composed by Babu Parameswaran (a versatile musician and composer now settled in the US) under the direction and supervision of the Dhananjayans.

The dance choreography by Dhananjayan is very contemporaneous and exciting in its freshness within the format of the traditional creativity.

Synopsis: (story) as seen on the stage:
A great celebration is happing in the heavens with Indra the king of Gods taken in procession on his caparisoned elephant -Iraavatha. Durvasa the great sage greets Indra with a fragrant flower garland. Unceremoniously the elephant tramples the garland. Humiliated by the disrespectful treatment Durvasa curses all celestials with ill health and mortality.

Realizing the fault committed by the king, every one plead guilty and ask the pardon of the sage and request a way to redeem them from the curse.
As suggested, the ocean of milk has to be churned to get the ‘amrita’ or nectar, but the Devas are powerless due to the curse and with the advice of Vishnu, Brahma and shiva the Devas seek the help of Asuras (Demons). With the Manthara mountain as the rod and the great serpent Vaasuki as rope they churn the ocean of milk. First the killer venom comes out, which Shiva swallows and then came Kalpaka Vriksha (wish yielding tree) the white horse and many valued objects. Lakshmi- the goddess of wealth also emerges and she chooses Vishnu as her Lord. Finally the celestial physician DHANWANTHARI appears carrying the golden urn with ‘amrita’ or nectar.

All celebrate the advent of a physician who brought a great medical system to rejuvenate both Gods and humans called Ayurveda -the science of life.

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