The 500 years old dance drama style Chindu Bhagvatam was brilliantly staged at Madhya Pradesh State Tribal Museum. Marking the second day of Yakshkathi, ‘Bhukailasa’ was performed on Tuesday.

The adventurous of Ravana not able to take Atma lingam to his mother was performed in Chindu Bhagavatam style which has great reputation in Telangana. According to the experts, this tradition is more than 500 years old, whose subsistence is performed with great fidelity to the generation of generations.

The original story of Bhukailasa underlines Ravana's efforts for the devotion of his mother towards lord Shiva and Ravana’s promise to his mother to bring Atma lingam. Raksha's King Ravana decides to invade Amaravati, the capital of the heavenly kingdom of Indra. Scared of Ravana's plans, Indra asks Narada for help. Narada informs Indra that Ravana's strength comes from the worship performed by Kaikasi, Ravana's mother.

He suggests that Indra interrupt Ravana's mother's worship of saikatha lingam, a sand sculpture representation of lord Siva.

Ravana decides to perform penance and bring lord Siva's Atma lingam for his mother to worship. When lord Siva appears to Ravana to grant his wish, lord Vishnu manipulates Ravana's mind and makes him wish for Goddess Parvathi. Narada meets him midway and tells him that his companion is fake Parvathi. Dejected by the subterfuge, Ravana returns Goddess Parvathi to lord Siva.

After various incidents, lord Siva presents Ravana with Atma lingam and warns him that, if the Atma lingam ever touches the earth, it can never be moved again. But Ravana was tricked by Narad Muni and Vinayaka.

This presentation was an extraordinary proof of commitment of artists and an exceptional proof of loyalty to the tradition. All the artists had made the designs and makeup with ordinary household resources in which turmeric was plentiful. Besides, the garments, ornaments, crowns were all made by the artists. Further, they embody the sense of authority and presentation on contextual dialogues.

It was directed by Raghavraj Bhatt. It was brilliantly performed by the artists of  Bharat Folk Art Academy.