''Usha Parinayam'' ( te, ఉషా పరిణయము; English: Marriage of Usha) is one of the famous Indian drama. It is also a popular

Yakshagana Yakshagaana is a traditional theatre, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, ...

. The play was written in 1901 by Vedam Venkataraya Sastry.

Plot

Banasura, the king of demons undertakes a severe penance to solicit the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appears to Banasura and asks him to reveal his desire. Banasura asks for Shiva, Parvati and their entire family to guard the entrance to his city Sonapuri. Shiva goes to Sonapuri with his entire family including the Pramadhaganas to guard the city. This provides the arrogant Banasura with overconfidence and he wages war against the Devas. The Devas are no match for the mighty Banasura, who is under the protection of Shiva and are defeated in the ensuing battle. He further challenges Shiva, the very power under whose allegiance he defeated the Devas. Angered with Banasura’s arrogance, Shiva curses him that when the flag of his chariot falls without a reason, Sri Krishna will fight him and humble his pride. Usha, the beautiful daughter of Banasura, prays to Lord Shiva and Parvati who are posted at the entrance to her father’s fort and learns the art of dance from Parvati. One day, Usha falls asleep and in her dreams she experiences an intimate and romantic love play with a handsome young man. She is unable to discern if it was a dream or reality. She is scared and confused by all this. She recollects her experience with the young man of her dreams and unable to bear the ensuing erotic pain, she faints. Usha’s companions call upon her dearest friend Chitralekha for help. Chitralekha understands the situation through a conversation with Usha and persuades Usha to draw a picture of the young man from her dreams. Chitralekha sees the picture and immediately identifies him as Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Chitralekha brings a sleeping Aniruddha to Usha’s chambers. Usha is overjoyed to see him. When Aniruddha wakes up and finds himself in a strange place with beautiful Usha. Usha expresses her love and tells him that he had been brought to her chambers by Chitralekha. Anirudhha is initially infuriated, but eventually he understands her love for him and agrees to marry her. The story of ''Usha Parinayam'' ends with the marriage between Aniruddha and Usha.

Main characters

* Usha, daughter of Banasura * Aniruddha, an Yadav prince and grandson of Sri

krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

* Banasura, demon king * Sri Krishna, Yadava king of Dwaraka *

Narada Narada ( sa, नारद, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He ...

* Chitralekha, dearest sakhi of Usha * Lord Shiva * Goddess Parvathi

Film adaptations

It was made into Hindi movie Harihar Bhakti in 1956, starring

Trilok Kapoor Trilok Kapoor (11 February 1912 23 September 1988) was an Indian actor and a member of the Kapoor family who worked in Bollywood films. He was the younger brother of actor Prithviraj Kapoor. Early and personal life Trilok was born as the sec ...

, Shahu Modak,

Durga Khote Durga Khote (14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around ...

. it was remade into Gujarati movie Okha Haran in 1990, the story was also included in

Balram Shri Krishna Balarama (Sanskrit: बलराम, IAST: ''Balarāma'') is a Hindu god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannath tradition, as one of the triad deities. He is also known as Haladhara, Halayudha, Balade ...

movie. '' Usha Parinayam'' was taken as a Telugu film in 1961 by

Kadaru Nagabhushanam Kadaru Nagabhushanam or K. B. Nagabhushanam (1902 – 18 October 1976) was an Indian film director and producer in the 1940s to 1960s, working in Telugu and Tamil cinema. He was the husband of P. Kannamba. They established Rajarajeshwari F ...

under Rajarajeswari films.''Usha Parinayam'' 1961 film at IMDb.
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References

{{reflist Indian plays 1960s Telugu-language films 1961 films Indian black-and-white films 1901 plays Telugu-language plays