Jayadeva's Ashtapadi - Sakhi He

Ashtapadi Sakhi He by poet Sri Jayadeva Music composition by Sukanta Kundu Singer: Sukanta Kundu Artists: Krishty Mukherjee, Samhitha Boyapalli Dance choreography by: Smt. Nandit Behera Videographer Erwin Aviles My Guru, Sri Kelucharan Mohapatra, often talked about Radha Bhaba, the supreme consciousness residing in our heart, ever longing to be united with the supreme lover Krishna. Guruji was the epitome of grace, in a flicker of a second he could transform to this state of bliss. That memory inspired me to create this piece, where two gopis are sharing their experience of how they met Krishna in the secret forest bowers. This song from Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi is describing the blissful union between Radha and Krishna. During Rasleela in Vrindavan, the dance of divine love between Krishna and his Gopis occurs, each one of them also feel his divine presence. A message from Krishty & Samhitha: Our sisterhood started in 2002 under the care of our Guru, Smt. Nandita Behera. She began shaping us as dancers & instilling the values of discipline and grace into who we would one day become. Although years have passed, we still share this sisterhood in all aspects of our lives - including our paralleled journeys in the field of healthcare. I, Krishty, am training to be a veterinary doctor, where I must be able to understand what animals are feeling in order to help them. Empathizing with these voiceless creatures connects me with the internal emotions that are portrayed in abhinaya. I, Samhitha, am starting my residency in Emergency Medicine. My passion for providing healthcare and connecting with patients in their most vulnerable moments transpires into my love for dance. Abhinaya has trained me to evoke emotion and access an internal calmness. We would like to thank our guru for trusting us to bring her vision to fruition. Nandita Mashi, you have given us the gift of expression, an art that cannot be spoken - it must be felt. You have taught our eyes to carry the pain & pleasure of life’s deepest emotions. We are forever grateful to you, our deepest love & pranam.