Kamsa Vadham - Kilimanoor Ravi Varma(1735 to 1799)                                                                         BACK

This story is taken from Bhagavatham. In this story you will see a steadily increasing confrontationism and aggressiveness from the part of Balarama and Krishna eager to finish off Kamsa, the most arrogant baby killer and dictator of Madhura.

After so many unsuccessful attempts Kamsa arranges one more plot to kill Krishna and Balarama (probably the last) by inviting them to a Yaga at Madhura. Akroora is sent for the invitation at the same time arrangement is made at the entrance itself to kill them by the help of a trained killer elephant. If this fails Chanura and Mushtika, two dangerous and well trained wrestlers (mallas) will take on Balarama and Krishna and finish them off. Kamsa gives necessry instructions to the mallas.

Akroora was a devotee of Krishna. He is thrilled to go and see Krishna. He prays to all gods for giving him this opportunity to meet his Lord. Balarama nd Krishna start off their journey with Akroora. However the Gopikas (cow maidens) are very sad to leave Krishna, since he is leaving on the invitation of his own uncle and foe, whatever happens he is unlikely to return.

On the way they meet a washerman taking expensive clothes to Madhura. Krishna asks for the clothes but he refuses. Krishna takes the clothes by force and kills him. Then they see a hunchbacked woman carrying sandalwood sticks. Again they take the sticks by force and beats her and drives her off, but by divine grace her back straightens out. After some more incidents they reach Madhura where the elephant keeper drives the rogue elephant at them. Balarama and Krishna kill the elephant and pull out its trunks.

The two Mallas, Chanura and Mushtika, oppose Balarama and Krishna. A severe bout takes place and Chanura and Mushtika are killed. Then they go round the city of Dwaraka and are greeted by the good citizens of the city. Then they reach the seat of Kamsa. Again a battle takes place and Kamsa is killed.. Krishna's grandfather Ugrasena the real king of Madhura as well as his own real parents, who were under arrest are released.

In this story Kamsa is Kathi vesham. Balarama and Krishna are Pacha vesham, Balarama with a yellowish makeup. Akroora, elephant keeper, hunchback etc. are Minuku. The Mallas are also Minuku with typical Malla makeup.