Songs

Pushpanjali - A dance piece where the dancer offers flowers to the gods and receives blessings from their teacher and the orchestra.

Choreographed by: Deepa Natarajan 

Krithi - Krithi is a traditional invocatory piece in Bharatanatyam recitals that is usually a hymn or song of devotion in praise of a deity. 

Shree Ganapathim - Asha will be performing to Shree Ganapathim.  In this krithi, Saint Tyagaraja invites all devotees to humbly worship Ganapathi, the elephant-headed god and the remover of obstacles.  Ganapathi loves to eat devotees' offerings of jackfruit, coconut, and berries.  According to Tyagaraja, even the footsteps of dancing Ganapathi are musical. 

Ragam: Sourashtram 

Talam: Adi 

Composed by: Tyagaraja Swami 

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan 

Alarippu - which means ‘blossoming of a flower’ is a dance meant to prepare the dancer for the rest of the arangetram.  It starts with simple movements that gradually build in complexity.

Talam: Rupakam 

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan 

Jatiswaram - This dance combines intricate footwork and statuesque poses, without any abhinaya or expression.  It has rhythmic sequences (jatis) with swaras (musical notes), showcasing the dancer's technical skills.

Amrithavarshini Jathiswaram - Asha will be performing  to this musical composition creating unity of music, rhythm, and movements 

Ragam: Amrithavarshini

Talam: Adi

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Shabdam - This piece introduces abhinaya, or expressive dance. It is a combination of nritta and nritya (expressional dance). 

Ramayana Shabdam - Asha will be showcasing Ramayana, one of India’s two great epics. This piece follows the life of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, who descended on earth to vanquish evil.  Prince Rama of Ayodhya, accompanied by his brother Lakshmana and sage Vishwamitra, arrives in Mithila, where he successfully strings and breaks Shiva's mighty bow during a swayamvaram, leading to his marriage with Sita.  Later, Rama is exiled for 14 years, during which he battles the demon king Ravana to rescue Sita, ultimately returning to Ayodhya to be crowned king.

Ragam: Ragamalika 

Talam: Mishrachapu

Composed and choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Varnam - The centerpiece of the arangetram, Varnam is the most elaborate and demanding item. It integrates complex rhythmic patterns and intricate footwork (nritta) with expressive storytelling (abhinaya). This piece tests the dancer's stamina, technique, and expressive abilities. 

Unnai Nambi - The dance begins with the dancer portraying a devotee seeking protection from Goddess Mahishasura Mardini, or Devi Durga. The piece tells the story of Durga slaying the demon king Mahishasura, who believed he was invincible due to a boon. Armed with weapons and riding a lion, Durga confronts and defeats Mahishasura with her trident, ending his tyranny. This dance honors the powerful yet graceful goddess who conquers evil while remaining loving towards her devotees, celebrating the strength of the feminine divine.

Ragam: Simhendra madhyamam

Talam: Adi

Translated into Tamil by: Sri S Narayana Iyer

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Padam - These are expressive pieces that delve deeper into abhinaya. Padams are typically slower and more poignant, and explore themes of love and devotion.

Asha will be performing 3 padams.

Andha Naal Ini Varumo - The first of three padams is Andha Naal Ini Varumo, where the dancer then takes on the role of Parvati, who is seen conversing with her parrot. Parvati longs to see Shiva again, yearning to dance with him once more.

Ragam: Ragamalika    

Talam: Adi

Composed by: Sudhaanandha Barathi

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan 

Velanae - Asha will showcase various vignettes from Murugan’s life, including his defeat of Asuras, his role as the protector of the Devas, and his marriage to Valli. One poignant vignette depicts Murugan losing a bet to his brother Ganesha over a divine mango, leading him to renounce everything and retreat to Palani Hill, only to be brought back home by his family’s love and devotion.

Ragam: Ragamalika   

Talam: Adi

Composed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Vaaranam Aayiram - This padam is about Andal, a revered female saint, wrote Nachiyar Thirumozhi or the Sacred Verses of the Woman.  Among these verses, Vaaranam Aayiram holds special significance. In this poem, Andal narrates a dream to her friends in which she marries Vishnu himself. In her dream, she undergoes marriage rituals, including: reception of the bride groom, nnouncement of wedding ceremony, dressing up of the bride by her sister in law, the Groom holding bride’s hand, the couple taking saptapadi or the seven sacred steps together, the Bride stepping on the stone to wear toe ring, offering of puffed rice, and more.

Ragam: Ragamalika   

Talam: Adi

Composed by: Andal

Choreographed by: Deepa Natarajan

Jaavali - These are expressive pieces that delve deeper into abhinaya.  They are often lighter and more playful, focusing on romantic themes.  Jaavalis are a folkish dance from the reigon of the dancer.

Maadu Meikkum Kannae - This is a dialogue between little Krishna and his mother, Yashodha.  Krishna wants to go out to play and tend to the cow while Yashodha tries to stop him.  She first offers sweet treats as a bribe. When Krishna isn't swayed, she cites various concerns: the scorching heat, the risk of wild animals and thieves, and even attempts emotional appeals. Despite her efforts, little Krishna remains resolute and counters each of her objections. Let’s see who wins in the end!

Ragam: Chenchurutti      

Talam: Tisra Adi

Composed by: Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi

Choreographed by: Deepa Natarajan

Tillana  - This lively and vibrant piece is performed towards the end of the recital. It is characterized by brisk movements, intricate footwork, and dynamic poses.  It also showcases the dancer's stamina, energy and endurance.

Kapi thillana - This lively and vibrant piece describes the beauty of Muruga a

Ragam: Kapi 

Talam: Adi

Composed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Choreographed by: Guru Rajee Narayan

Mangalam  - This is a gesture of gratitude and a formal conclusion to the arangetram.  It is a dance where the dancer offers thanks to the deities, the guru, the musicians, and the audience, seeking blessings for the future.