About the drama of Maha Purush Madhavadeva

After Sankaradeva, Madhavadeva composed a few numbers of drama which are small in volume and known as Jhumuras. Though these dramas follow the ideas of the dramas of Sankaradeva, they have some other peculiarities. The dramas of Madhavadeva are Chordhara, Pimpara-Guchowa, Arjuna-Bhanjana (Dhadhi-Mathana), Bhumi Letowa and Bhojana Behara. Though it is not confirmed, the following dramas Ras-Jhumura, Kotora-Khelowa, Bhusana Harana and Brahma-Mohan (appended to Bhjana Behara) are said to have been written by Madhavadeva. Arjuna-Bhanjana is accepted as a drama as it contains a definite story. The others are known as Jhumuras and these describe a particular situation of child Krishna’s playful activities which are not full stories. All these Jhumuras are very popular, as they contain all the entertaining activities of child Krishna, like playing with monkeys and other animals along with Gopa-Balakas. These activities  reflect  the simple common village life. These Jhumuras can be considered as the beginning of Assamese children drama. Madhavadeva was very must successful in depicting the child character of Krishna.

Chordhara: 

Chordhara is a Jhumura written by Madhavadeva. The theme of this Jhumura is taken from the verses of ‘Krishna Mangala’ (Bala-Gopala Stuti) written by Lila Suka (Bilva- Mangala). The main character is Krishna. Here, we find that one day child Krishna entered  into a Gopi’s house for stealing Lawanu (butter). The Gopi caught Him and locked Him inside. Then, she called all her neighbouring Gopis to show them the thief Krishna. Krishna also called His friends Sridama, Sudama, Bisala etc. And told them that the Gopis have accused Him as thief. The Gopa-Balaka (Milkman child)  questioned the Gopis why are calling their friend Krishna a thief. Krishna also told the Gopis that He will complain the matter to His mother Yashoda as the Gowalis (Milkman)  are taking the milk themselves and blaming Krishna as thief. Being afraid of Yashoda, the Gopis freed Krishna, but Krishna instead of going back home, asked Lawanus from them. The Gopis, in return, asked Krishna to dance if He wants to have Lawanus. Then, Krishna danced and took Lawanus from the Gopis. In the meantime, Yashoda was wandering in search of Krishna asking each and everyone she met. Failing to get her Son Krishna, she come back home. She cried for lost of her Son. Then, few Gopis informed Yashoda about Krishna Whom the Gopis saw dancing in exchange of getting Lawanus. Yashoda went there, took her Son into her lap and scolded the Gopis.

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Pimpara-Guchowa:  

Pimapara- Guchowa is also another Jhumura of Madhavadeva. Accoring to the Charit-Puthi (biographical account of saints), this Jhumura was written by Madhavadeva at Sundaridiya Sattra. In Pimpara (Pipara) Guchowa, one of Gopi found Krishna inside her house and asked about His identity. Krishna told her that He is the younger brother of Balai (Balorama). Gopi again asked Krishna why He was stealing her Lawanus. Krishna replied that He was busy in removing the Pimparas (ants) who were destroying her Lawanus. Then, the Gopi asked why Krishna made her sleeping son awake? Krishna replied that He only wanted to know from the child about His lost calf. Gopi enquired why there is the smell of Lawanus from Krishna’s mouth? Krishna told that she herself ate Lawanu and blaming Krishna. Krishna also told her that He is the Son of Nanda who is the leader of the Gowalas and had Lawanus more than enough in His store. Therefore, Krishna need not go for stealing Lawanus from others. The Gopi told Krishna that she will complain to His mother Yashoda and accordingly did so. Yashoda got angry hearing the complain from Gopi and scolded Krishna. Krishna also replied His mother that she had no child earlier. He came to her and removed ail her worries. Therefore, she should never scold Him.

Arjuna-Bhanjana (Dadhi-Mathana):

Though Arjuna-Bhajana is called Jhumara, it is separate from the others, as it contains a full story and has all the characters of Ankiya drama. The story is taken from the Bhagavata Purana. The theme of the play is uprooting of two Arjuna trees. While Yashoda and her maids were busy churing milk, Krishna was disturbing His mother for not feeding Him. He broke all the pots of milk and curd for which Yashoda tried to punish Him. She caugh hold of Krishna and tried to fasten Him with a rope around His waist with a mortar (Ural). But, she could not tie as the rope got short by two fingers length. She again tried by joining ropes. Yet she failed. Ultimately, Krishna, showing compassion to the devotee mother, Himself accepted the fastening Himself. Then, Jasoda got busy with her work. Krishna pulled the mortar (Ural). The Ural got strucked in between the two Arjuna trees. Krishna gave heavy pull and as a result, both Arjuna trees got uprooted. Thereby, both Nalakuvera and Manigriva, who were crushed to become trees, got released. While Nanda was coming back home, he saw Krishna in that state. He quarrelled with Yashoda for torturing their Son Krishna.  The incident of quarrel between Nanda-Yashoda is the creation of Madhavadeva which is not there in the Bhagavata.

Bhojana-Bihara (Behara) and Brahma-Mohana:

Bhojana-Bihara is the Jhumura written by Madhavadeva. Here, Krishna, along with Gopa-Balakas (friends), while, grazing the cows in the bank of river Yamuna, got hungry. Krishna called all His friend and asked them to sit along with Him and had their meal.  The description of Krishna taking meal, keeping His flute by His side, is unique. To see the scenery, even the gods were  coming down from heaven. In the meantime, all the calves went far away. Sridama saw it and wanted to go to bring back the calves. But, Krishna did not allow Sridama to go; instead, Krishna Himself went for it. Brahma stole aii the cows and Gopa-Balakas. Krishna not finding them used to roam around shouting and calling each and everyone of the herd. Krishna came to know the fact that all these wre stolen by Brahma. In some version of the play, the later part of charming Brahma is added along with Bhonjana-Behara. This play is also known as Brahma-Mohana.

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Bhumi Letowa:

In Bhumi-Letowa, Krishna kept His flute aside and was stealing Lawanu. In the meantime,   Krishna saw His cry lying on the ground. Yashoda got pity on her Son and tried to console Krishna saying that she will fed Him with fresh Lawanu as soon as the Gowala (Milkman) bring the milk. But, Krishna wanted Lawanu then and there. Yashoda faild to convince Him and took Lawanu which wew kept inside the temple for offering to God Hari and she offered these Lawanu to Krishna. Krishna got satisfied and began dancing.

Ras-Jhumura:

In Ras-Jhumura, Madhavadeva describes the proudly Gopi name Radha, who intended to ride over Krishna’s shoulder and lost her most beloved Krishna.  Then, Radha repented for her mistake and prayed Krishna crying to pardon. According to some scholars, it cannot be from the pen of Madhavadeva because of the subject matter is not to that level of writings of Madhavadeva.  

Kotora-Khelowa:  

                    

In Kotora-Khelowa, Madhavadeva showed the Gopa-Balakas teasing the Gowalis while they were carrying milk products for selling. The Gopa-Balakas obstructed them in all their ways trough Yamuna. The Gowalis called Jabara for their rescue and help. Jabara came but had to flee away being unable to bear the attack from Gopa-Balakas. The gowalis had to surrender and offer their milk products in return of dance by Krishna.