Program Overview

Schedule

🕞 3:30 PM – Seating Opens
🕓 4:00 PM – Event Begins
🕠 5:30 PM – Intermission
🕕 6:00 PM – Event Resumes
🕖 7:00 PM – Event Concludes

🍽 Dinner to follow

📖 Program Order

1. Pancha Moorthy Anjali

• Ragam: Ragamalika

• Talam: Misra Jambai

• Composer: Thanjai Arunachalam Pillai

• Choreography: Smt. Rani Sunil
  Pancha Moorthy Anjali is a traditional invocatory composition praising the five deities (also known as the Panchamoorthies): Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva, Goddess Sivakami Sundari, and Lord Chandikeswarar.

2. Malayamarutham Jathiswaram

• Ragam: Malayamarutham

• Talam: Adi

• Composer: Karaikudi Sri R. Krishnamoorthy

• Choreography: Smt. Nritya Choodamani Krishnaveni Lakshmanan
  Jathiswaram is a nritta (pure dance) presentation in which intricate adavu sequences are performed to a set of repetitive musical notes, also known as swaras. Jathiswarams include a single stand-alone jathi and several korvais set to a Pallavi, Anupallavi, and Charanas, demonstrating the dancer’s understanding of technical skill.

3. Muruga Shabdam – Thandai Muzhanga

• Ragam: Ragamalika

• Talam: Mishra Chapu

• Composer: Shemmangudi Koi Shanmugam

• Choreography: Smt. Rani Sunil
  A sabdam is the first piece in a margam that introduces the audience and dancer to abhinaya, or expression. Sabdams are usually in praise of a deity or a patron king, enabling the dancer to experiment and perfect different modes of expression. This sabdam outlines the description of Lord Muruga’s appearance, from his baby crawls and valorous strides to his beautiful, sharp eyebrows and his gem-like smile.

4. Varnam – Lord Muruga

• Ragam: Latangi

• Talam: Adi

• Composer: Andavan Pichai

• Choreography: Smt. Rani Sunil
  The varnam is the most complex piece of the repertoire, showcasing the dancer’s skill through both nritta and abhinaya. This varnam praises the valor and divine grace of Lord Muruga, expressing the devotee’s deep love and reverence for the deity through intricate movements, rhythmic patterns, and expressive storytelling.

~ Intermission ~

5. Shanmuga Keerthanam

• Ragam: Karna Ranjani

• Talam: Mishra Chapu

• Composer: Hari Prasad

• Choreography: Smt. Rani Sunil
  This keerthanam is in praise of Lord Muruga, the one with the divine spear gifted to him by his mother, Goddess Parvati, the one who defeated demon Soorpadman, and the one who rides on his beautiful peacock, blessing all who seek him.

6. Kuravanji

• Ragam: Arabhi

• Talam: Mishra Chapu

• Composer: Venpa Puli

• Choreography: Dr. Pannuri Suresh
  This piece is an excerpt from the Kumara Lingesha Kuravanji dance drama, describing the stunning appearance of a Kuravanji. Kuravanjis are storytellers, talented in palm-reading, who hail from the mountain regions of Tamil Nadu, deeply devoted to and blessed by Lord Muruga.

7. Thillana

• Ragam: Shanmughapriya

• Talam: Aadi

• Composer: Dhananjayans

• Choreography: Bharatha Kalanjali
  The Thillana is a lively and rhythmic dance form generally performed at the end of a Bharatanatyam concert. This dance involves dynamic movements of the legs, hips, and arms, showcasing the dancer’s agility and precision. Additionally, expressive eye movements and intricate hand gestures are used to convey emotions, adding depth to the performance.

8. Mangalam

The dancer concludes the recital with a Mangalam, signifying an auspicious ending. She performs a Namaskaram, expressing reverence and gratitude to God, her Guru, and the audience. This gesture symbolizes the culmination of the Arangetram and honors all those involved in her journey.