India is a diverse country with various traditions, cultures and art forms. Every state in the country practices different art forms. Each era is distinctive in its culture and artistic style. The artforms have developed majorly over time.
In Sanskrit, the word Kala means, among other things, the arts, and specifically 64 fine or mechanical arts. The 64 traditional Kalas are known as the Chausath Kalas or Chathusashti Kalas. The mastery of as many of these Kalas formed an important basis in the development of a cultured individual in many parts of ancient India.
After the slaying of Kamsa and the thread ceremony, Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama went to the ashrama of Guru Sandipani in the city of Avanti (Ujjain). There within 64 days, Lord Krishna learnt fourteen types of sciences (Vidyas) and sixty-four arts (Kalas). Generally, to learn one science one requires two to two and a half years.
Due to the Lord's knowledge of all the sixty-four arts, he blessed Sri Shuka Maharishi as thus (while he spoke to the sage's father, Sri Vyasa Maharishi):"O Sage! Your son is talking like a Shuka (parrot). Hence name this boy Shukadeva".
What prompted the Lord to bless Sri Shuka Maharishi in such a manner?
The extraordinary level of Gnana and wisdom of the sage and his knowledge of the sublime made Lord Krishna draw the comparison between him and the Shuka (parrot). Sage Shuka's divine Gnana was evident while he was in his mother's womb itself. Sage Vedavyasa was happily married to Vatika, Sage Jabali’s daughter. They lived amidst forests. Vatika became pregnant and the fetus began to grow in her womb for nearly twelve years without any child being born.
As Shastras and Vedas were being discussed in the hermitage, the fetus, in the womb of Vatika, used to listen to the discussions and absorb all the information. Not only that, but the fetus could also retain all the knowledge within itself. The child gained expertise in Sanga, Vedas, Smriti, Puranas and all the Mukti-shastras. The child used to analyze all the scriptures within the womb itself.
Vatika used to experience extreme pain and discomfort due to the growing womb and no amount of cajoling or coaxing from Sage Vyasa could prompt the child to come out. The fetus declared from the womb that it wanted to attain salvation from within the womb itself, fearing that all the knowledge would dissolve (due to Maya) once it takes birth and comes into the world.
The fetus said, "I have taken nearly 84 lakhs of births and am determined to make this my last birth. I am practicing yoga and meditation here itself (in the womb) and have no wish to yield to worldly Maya by taking birth. Please get Lord Krishna's assurance that I would be unaffected by the Maya and I will come out!". Sage Vyasa rushed to bring Lord Krishna to the hermitage and Lord Krishna assured the fetus that he would protect the fetus from Maya (illusion).
After birth, the twelve-year-old boy started walking towards the forests. When sage Vyasa tried to stop him pleading that he needed to perform certain rituals for the welfare of his son, the boy replied- "O great among sages, thousands of rituals were carried out in many of my births. These bondages of rituals submerged me in the illusions of the world". It was then that Lord Krishna named the boy Shukadeva because he spoke with the knowledge of a Shuka (parrot).
Lord Krishna who was proficient in the 64 Kalas, compared the twelve-year-old boy (who had gained knowledge of all the Vidyas and Kalas while in his mother's womb itself), to a Shuka, conveying the greatness and significance of a parrot. Such a parrot is held on the right side of Goddess Raja Matangi, who resides as Goddess Meenakshi in Madurai. The parrot is positioned in such a way that its beak is aligned with Devi's right ear. The parrot imparts its knowledge of the 64 Kalas to the Goddess.