Program
PROGRAM
~INVOCATION~
Ganapati Kavuthwam
Ragam: Hamsadhwani Talam: Adi
Composer: Tanjore Quartet
Language: Tamil
Choreography: Bharata Vidwan Guru Kuppiah Pillai
These ancient verses were traditionally performed as part of the flag-hoisting ceremonies in ancient temples and describe Ganesha, or Ganapati, as the elephant-faced remover of obstacles and the foremost among the gods. The Kavuthwams were researched and revived by Srimati Sudha Chandra Sekhar and her late Guru Kuppiah Pillai. They are an integral part of the Hindu Temple Rhythms repertoire.
Alarippu
Ragam: Nattai Talam: Kandam
Composer: Tanjore Quartet
Choreography: Kalaimamani Guru T. K. Mahalingam Pillai
Alarippu, which means blossoming, is a traditional invocation dance. In this dance, the limbs of the body unfold like a flower. The dancer offers prayers to God (with the hand above the head), to the guru (teacher) (with the hand in front of the face), and welcomes the audience (with the hands across the chest).
Jathiswaram
Ragam: Bhairavi Talam: Thisra Ekam
Composer: Tanjore Quartet
Choreography: Kalaimamani Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai
The Jathiswaram is a traditional “nritta” item, which means pure dance movement. Jathiswaram takes the basic steps or adavus learned by the dancer and strings them together in complex rhythmic patterns, which are then set to swaras or musical notes in a specific ragam.
Shankari Shankuru
Ragam: Saveri Talam: Thisra Nadai
Composer: Shyama Shastri
Language: Sanskrit
This expressional item is a dedication to the divine Goddess, the mother of the universe, resplendent with a dark earthy complexion. She is worshipped even by the God of Creation, Brahma. She removes all our suffering by destroying the demonic tendencies in the world, and bestows blessings upon the sages and is the beloved of Lord Shiva. She is known as the sister of Krishna and the daughter of the mountain king. She enjoys the music of the Sama Veda, and is always generous and compassionate.
Varnam - Balagopalam
Ragam: Panthuvarali Talam: Adi
Composer/Choreographer:
Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai
Language: Sanskrit
The Varnam is the most demanding and immersive item in the repertoire. Dance patterns set to intense, complex Jathis and Swarams alternate with stanzas of lyrics interpreted through Abhinaya and Mudras (hand gestures). This particular Varnam highlights the many adventures or leelas of Shri Krishna, the playful and romantic form of Mahavishnu.
~INTERMISSION~
Bhajan - Achyutam Keshavam
Ragam: Yaman Kalyan Talam: Teentaal
Composer: Adi Shankaracharya
Language: Hindi
Choreography: Anandini Chandra Sekhar
In this devotional hymn, the dancer invokes the divine in his many forms including Mahavishnu who wields the conch shell and discus (chakra), Shri Krishna who plays the flute, and Shri Rama with his bow and arrow who is the beloved husband of Sita (Janaki).
Bholanath Umapathi
Ragam: Malkauns Talam: Teentaal
Composer: Swami Haridas Giri
Language: Sanskrit
Choreography: Anandini Chandra Sekhar
This beautiful devotional bhajan is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the beloved of Goddess Uma or Parvati. He rides on the bull, Nandikeshwara, and is adorned with the crescent moon and the powerful waters of the Ganges atop his matted locks. His abode is Mount Kailasa, and he is worshipped in the golden temple of Chidambaram and presides over supernatural environments. He is known as Neelakantha, the one with the blue neck as well as Shooladhara, he who wields the trident weapon. He is bright with the light of a thousand lamps and wears sacred ash on his body as he dances joyfully holding the double-headed drum in his hand.
Thillana
Ragam: Dhanashree Talam: Adi
Composer: Swati Thirunal
Choreography: Anandini Chandra Sekhar
The grand finale of tonight's recital is the Thillana, a joyous celebration of pure dance in which the patterns of the music are enhanced by sculptural poses and scintillating footwork to bring the recital to a brilliant finish. In the Thillana, more than any other item, we see the architecture of human form utilized to its fullest extent. The movement, poses and footwork are all intricately woven with the melody and tala. The sahityam, or lyrical verse, in this Thillana is in praise of Padmanabha, the form of Mahavishnu who slumbers under the watchful eye of the multi-headed snake Adishesha. Within the lotus that grows from his navel is the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, and at his feet is his divine consort Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.
Mangalam
Mangalam is the song of benediction that gives an auspicious end to a dance recital