Program

The Pushpanjali dance is often the first dance in a Bharatanatyam performance.  The dancer offers symbolic flowers in salutation to the lord of dance Nataraja, as well as the teacher, the musicians, and the audience. An invocatory hymn to Ganesha is then presented to remove any obstacles. This is followed by a devotional piece to Lord Muruga, the six-faced son of Lord Shiva, whose consort is Valli, and who rides atop the peacock. He possesses the rooster flag, and is worshipped as the Lord of the six hills.

Raagam: Nattai, Shanmukhapriya

Taalam: Sankeerna Eka & Roopakam

Composer: Madurai R. Muralidharan (Kavuthuvam); Pushpanjali (Asha Ramesh)

Language: Tamil

Choreography: Adapted by Malavika Walia

A jatiswaram presents segments of abstract dance, or nritta, combined with swarams (notes). 

Raagam: Rasikapriya

Taalam: Adi

Composer: Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman

Choreography: Malavika Walia

Bhavayami Raghuramam, presented today in place of a varnam, is in praise of Lord Rama, descendant of the Raghu Dynasty. The piece outlines the great ancient epic of the Ramayana.

Balakandam:

The adolescent Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana are asked to protect sage Vishwamitra during his sacrifices. Rama not only kills the demons who are disturbing the sage, but he also frees Ahalya from her curse as a stone. Next, he travels to Mithila to win the hand of Sita in marriage by stringing Shiva’s bow. On the way back from Mithila to Ayodha, Parashurama tries to obstruct the way but his pride is subdued by Rama.

Ayodhya Kandam:

To honor his father Dasharatha's promise to Queen Kaikeyi, Rama renounces being crowned king of Ayodhya and heads to the forest, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Bharata is destined to be crowned king in Rama’s absence, however he follows Rama into the Chitrakoot forest, pleading with him to return to Ayodhya to rule. Rama refuses, so Bharata insists and takes Rama's sandals to rule Ayodhya in Rama’s name until his return.

Aranya Kandam:

In the Dandaka forest, Rama defeats the demon Viradha. He meets with sage Agastya who bestows him celestial weapons. On his journey to Panchavati he is greeted by Jatayu, the eagle king. Rama decides to halt there with Sita and Lakshmana.  Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, makes advances towards Rama and threatens Sita after being scorned. When Lakshmana defends Sita and  mutilates Surpanakha, she cries to Ravana demanding he avenge her.

Kishkindha Kandam:

Maricha goes to Panchavati where he disguises himself as a golden deer. The deer catches Sita’s eye and she desires it. Agreeing to fulfill her wish, Rama heads off in pursuit of the deer and later Lakshmana too follows him leaving Sita alone in the forest. The ten-headed evil Ravana then preys on the unsuspecting Sita, abducting her in his chariot to Lanka. Rama and Lakshmana realize what has happened and head off towards the shores of the river Pampa. There, they meet Hanuman, son of Anjaneya, and Sugreeva who was similarly exiled from Kishkindha (the monkey kingdom) by Vali. Rama and Sugreeva make a pact to help each other avenge their respective enemies.

Sundara Kandam:

Rama gives Hanuman a ring to be given to Sita once she is located. Hanuman flies to Lanka and finds Sita grieving for Rama in the Ashoka grove surrounded by Ravana’s guards. He gives Sita the ring and she in turn gives her chudamani or head jewel to Hanuman, with the promise of a rescue by Rama. Hanuman is then captured by Ravana’s son and brought to Ravana’s court to be put to death. Vibheeshana, Ravana’s brother, pleads with Ravana to spare his life. 

Yuddha Kandam:

Hanuman returns to tell Rama of Sita’s location and to give him her jewel. The monkey kingdom constructs a dam across the ocean so that Rama’s army can cross to Lanka. Rama defeats Ravana and saves Sita. All return to Ayodhya for the coronation and it is revealed that Rama is Vishnu, one with a lotus from his naval.

Raagam: Raagamaalika

Talam: Roopakam

Composer: Sri Swaati Tirunaal

Additional Music: Sri Semmangudi Srinivaasa Iyer

Language: Sanskrit

Jatis: Smt. Indra Rajan & Mythili Kumar 

Choreography: Mythili Kumar

This piece is in praise of Lord Shiva, the one with a crescent moon placed upon his head. He has matted locks and snakes wrapped around his neck, and his third eye sparkles on his forehead. He is the one who wears a garland of skulls and bears an axe and a trident in his beautiful arms. He is adorned with kundalams, or earrings, and a tiger skin which is wrapped around his waist. When he dances, one can hear the rhythmic sound of his bells. He is the one whose wife is the daughter of the mountain king, whose son is Ganapathi, and who exists both outside and within. 

Raagam: Revagupti

Talam: Misra Chapu

Composer: Shadkala Govinda Marar

Language: Mani-Pravaalam 

Choreography: Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon

In this piece, a frustrated and confused devotee asks the goddess, "Am I but a doll to be played with?". He points out that he has suffered through many lives, yet this does not seem to be enough for the Devi. Despite his daily acts of worship, he feels that she ignores his devotion and finds joy in his suffering. He pleads with her, asking her to soften her heart, as he cannot find shelter or peace at her feet. 

The song is preceded by hymns praising the Goddess in her manifold forms.

Raagam: Abirami Andaadi (Vaasanthi) ; Naan Oru (Navarasa Kannada)

Talam: Adi

Composer: Hyms-Asha Ramesh; Naan Oru: Sri Paapanasam Sivan

Language: Tamil

The next piece describes an argument between Radha and Krishna. The disagreement begins when Radha finds Krishna flirting with gopis. She consequently becomes angry with him, and when Krishna realizes this, he too decides to be cross with her. Their anger towards each other is reflected in village of Gokul. The deer that once ran together now separate, the birds begin to quarrel, and the flowers begin to close their petals. The vines that curl beautifully around the trees unravel themselves, and other couples in the town begin to argue. The narrator asks the pair to reconcile, but they both refuse. Finally, Krishna approaches Radha, giving his word that he will no longer be with the other gopis, but instead will be loyal to Radha. 

Raagam: Misra Yaman

Talam: Chatushra Eka

Language: Marathi 

Choreography: Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan

The Thillana is a joyous finale in a dance recital. Precise, rhythmic patterns and sculpturesque poses are presented with grace and fluidity. The concluding lyrics of this Thillana are in praise of the God Muruga. He is the nephew of Lord Vishnu, the wielder of a spear, and whose consort is Valli. He is the Supreme one. 

Raagam: Sindhubhairavi

Talam: Adi

Composer: Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman