Maargam - Sequence of Songs - Details

Pushpanjali

Raagam - Saraswati

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Madhurai R Muralidharan

Pushpanjali is also an invocatory dance conducted at the beginning of a Bharatnatyam performance. It is the salutation to Goddess Saraswati, the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. The dancer holds flowers to offer prayers to the goddesses, ashta dikpalakas, and scholars in dance.

Kalyana rama

Raagam - Hamsanadam

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Ootukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyyar

The song "Kalyana Rama" praises Rama's divine qualities and celebrates his marriage, invoking feelings of devotion and auspiciousness. Rama the groom, of the Raghu clan, with a golden crown and emerald garland swinging, the son of Dasharatha, Sita’s (Rama the groom) Neck adorned with new garlands of fragrant flowers like jasmine, splendorous/joyful, fanned by fly-whisks on both sides, ear ornaments swinging (Rama the groom) Innumerable gods, sages, and virtuous people herald His arrival as Rama, of the Raghu dynasty, who is the attractive husband of (who pleases) the daughter of Janaka, Sita’s (Rama the groom).

Jathiswaram

Raagam - Bhairavi

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Tanjore Quartet

A Jathiswaram in Ragam Bhairavi is a traditional Bharatanatyam dance piece characterized by its intricate rhythmic patterns and melodic structure based on the Bhairavi raga. It's a pure dance (nritta) item, meaning it focuses on the technical aspects of dance, like intricate footwork and body movements, without expressive acting (abhinaya). The dance is set to the notes (swaras) of the Bhairavi raga and various rhythmic cycles (talas), demonstrating the dancer's skill and control over rhythm and melody.

Varnam

Raagam - Ranjani

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Madhurai R Muralidharan

We now going to take the audience into the much-awaited piece-de-resistance in a Bharatanatyam Margam, the Varnam. Simhavahini, in praise of goddess Mother Durga.was the intricate jathis, or the underlying expressions. The sancharis for storytelling explaining the origin of Sri Lalitha sahasra namam, story on humility, Shiva-Parvathi kalyanam and Mahishasura mardhini were poised and mature.

Nrityati

Raagam- Shankarabharanam

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Swathi Thirunal

Lord Siva dances to the syllable "dhrkttom dhrkttom" He is always spotless in form; and bestows auspiciousness and knowledge to the depends who worship in the evenings at sandhya. With gem studded anklets in his legs sounding "ghana ghana" and worshiped with reverence by Indra and others and nodding to the sound of the flute. One who delights in the sound of "dumu dumu" played in the Damaruka by Nandikesvara; one who is surrounded by celestial damsels fanning with Camaras and the one who is adorned with a crescent moon. One whose feet are worshiped by sages devoid of sin; one who is the consort of lord Padmnabha's sister; one who is skillful in dispelling the miseries of the hapless; one who opposed Yama and is among the host of virtuous ones.

Mayyamori

Raagam - Mishra Khamach

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Surdas Bhajan

This is one of Lord Krishna’s mischievous adventures as a young boy. Maiyya Mori means “My Mother.” The story begins with Krishna feeling happy and full after enjoying his mother’s freshly churned butter. When his mother discovers the empty pot and accuses him of eating all of the butter she made, he denies it and replies, “I didn’t eat the butter- Maiyya, no! | Main Nahin Makhan Khayo. | O Maiyya Mori, | Main Nahin Makhan Khayo.” Krishna relies on his charm and wit as he claims he didn’t eat the butter – even when Maiyya can see it on his lips and grows angrier. It is only when his mother wraps him in her arms filled with love and says she believes him, that Krishna tells the truth, “I ate the butter, Maiyya, yes it’s so! Maine Hi Makhan Khayo. Sun Maiyya Mori, Maine Hi Makhan Khayo.”

Tillana

Raagam - Abheri

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Madhurai R Muralidharan

A Tillana in Carnatic music is a rhythmic, fast-paced composition, often performed at the end of a Bharatanatyam recital. It features intricate rhythmic patterns (jathis) and is known for its energetic and captivating quality. An Abheri Tillana specifically refers to a Tillana composed in the Abheri raga, which is a Carnatic musical scale known for its melodic and graceful nature.

Lullaby

Raagam - Reeti gowLa

Talam - Aadi

Composer - Tyaagaraaja

The personification of unalloyed bliss! Darling of Dasharatha! Sleep soundly. One who delights in the company of Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth! Gem of the Raghu race! With curly forelocks and eyes matching the brilliance of the sun and the mellow luster of the moon, how daintily you are lying on the soft couch formed by the coils of Adishesha! O one who transcends the pairs of opposite attributes! O one with whom virtuous attributes sit with natural grace! Your soft and gentle speech fascinates as much as your ravishing beauty. You are surrounded by devotees and worshipped by Tyaagaraaja. Lord, sleep, lulled by the lullaby of this humble devotee.

Mangalam