Program
Pushpanjali
Composer: Traditional
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Hamsadhwani
Pushpanjali means “the offering of flowers to God” and is the first piece in an arangetram where the dancer seeks blessings from God, the gurus, and the audience. This Pushpanjali honors Ganesha, the elephant headed god.
Om Shakthi
Composer: Sri Subramanya Bharathiyar
Talam: Adi Talam (Tishra Gathi) Ragam: Ragaamalika
A beautiful Keerthanam by Sri Subramanya Bharathiyar invoking the blessings of Ganesha, Shakthi, Muruga, Saraswati, Krishna, and Lakshmi. With the refrain “Om Shakthi Om” the poet describes Shakthi as the embodiment of the ultimate consciousness.
Jatiswaram
Composer: Traditional
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Yadukula Kambodi
This is a pure nritta item where the dancer showcases knowledge of rhythm through intricate footwork and keeping beat with the mridangist. It consists of various Jathis and Korvais.
Varanam: Nanda Gopalanai
Composer: Sri Periyasaami Tooran
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Bhairavi
A Varnam is the central piece of a Bharatanatyam repertoire. This Varnam centers around Krishna and his childhood antics. It alternates between Jathis or Swarams (pure Nritta pieces) and stories told through Abhinaya (emotions), including the story of Kuchela, Draupadi, and Krishna showing the seven worlds after eating mud.
Arupadai Veedamarndha
Composer: Sri M.P Sivan
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Maalika
This song tells the story of Muruga and his six abodes. Each section of the song focuses on a story that centers around the location of each one of his temples.
Yaarukum Adangatha Neeli
Composer: Sri Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Abhogi
This song is about Kali, the goddess that cannot be subdued by anyone, who protects all from the evils of the world. This song features Kali slaying a demon, representing the death of evil characteristics within ourselves.
Thillana
Composer: Sri Madurai N. Krishnan
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Revathi
A Thillana is a piece of rhythmic music that is always performed near the end of a recital. This Thillana ends with a short lyrical section in praise of the Goddess Devi.
Mangalam: Krishna Mukunda Murare
Composer: Sri Papanasam Shivan
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Yaman Kalyani
A Mangalam is a concluding piece of a recital offering thanks to the gurus and the audience. This Mangalam is in praise of Lord Krishna and describes various stories from his childhood, including his dance on the snake in the banks of the river Yamuna.