Ecstatic Ashtapadi wedding rhymes

THRISSUR: Ashtapadi renderings from Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam, has of late been replacing ‘nadaswarm’ as the background music during Hindu marriages in the state. The nadaswaram, a wind instrument, was the one used in South Indian weddings, especially, Kerala.

According to Jyothidas Guruvayur, an Ashtapdi performer,  those who were looking out for a change  happily went in for Ashtapdi as the background score during ‘thalikettu’.

“These Ashtapadis are about different moods in the eternal love between Krishna and Radha. Some are almost hymns, listing Krishna’s achievements in his various incarnations. 

Moreover, Ashtapadi songs are set to a special rhythm. It is a rhyme of eternal love and supreme devotion”, says Jyothidas, who has now performed at more than a hundred weddings in the state.  

Manu, a native of Chamravattam says: “It was the event management company which suggested Ashtapadi instead of nadaswaram. Initially, our parents showed some hesitation in accepting the suggestion. But now  Ashtapadi has become the main flavour of our wedding ceremonies”, he said.

Ashtapadi, the 12th century composition of poet Jayadeva reached Kerala a century later. Here, it was rendered by temple musicians to the accompaniment of the edakka at the Sopanam (steps) of the sanctum sanctorum.