Program
Mallari
Ragam: Ghambheera Natai
Talam: Adi
Mallari is an invocatory dance, performed at the beginning of a margam. The dancer depicts carrying a deity into procession, and is followed by a series of adavus, or steps, performed in three speeds.
AlaripPu
Ragamalika
Talam: Chatusra
Alarippu is traditionally one of the first pieces a dancer learns, and is a pure nritta piece, meaning it is based solely on rhythm. Alarippu means budding flower, and as the dance progresses so does the speed and intensity of it, which highlights the fine details of this intricate art form.
Jatiswaram
Ragam: Abhogi
Talam: Adi
Jatiswaram is another pure nritta piece, as it ecompasses the foot work and rhythms of Bharatanatyam. Jatiswaram introduces the music aspect of dance through the adavus, basic steps, set to melodious swarams, musical notations.
Varnam
Ragam: Tilang
Talam: Adi
Composer: Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya
Varnam is the centerpiece of a Bharatanatyam Arangetram. It combines elements from all the parts from this dance form. This Varnam, Devaki Nandana, was one of twelve Dvadasha Stotras composed by Madhvacharya in the 13th-century, on the occasion of the installation of the Krishna Idol in Udupi. In this Varnam, Pragya will tell the story of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the Dashavataras. While many explanations are given for the 10 avatars of Vishnu, one can see striking similarity of these stories with the theory of evolution of life.
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The dancer will tell the story of
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Matsya, a fish who saves the world from floods
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Kurma, a turtle who saves the Mandara mountain from sinking
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Varaha, who saves Bhumi Devi (mother earth) from demon Hiranyaksha,
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Narasimha, a half-lion half-man who defeated the demon Hiranykashyapa,
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Vamana, the dwarf priest who reclaimed the universe
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Parashurama, a sage who defeated the arrogant warrior class,
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Rama, the embodiment of truth and morality,
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Krishna, the central character of the Mahabarata who embodies love, duty, compassion and playfulness,
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Buddha, the ascetic prince who renounced the throne to lead the world on the path of peace, and
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Kalki, the future avatar of Lord Vishnu who will come riding a white horse, to rid the world of adharma (unrighteousness) and usher in the age of truth
Shiva Stuti
Ragamalika
Tala: Adi
Lord Nataraja is the god of dance and an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Nataraja has four hands, each having significance. The upper right hand carries the Damaru, which is a small drum that regulates the rhythm of the dance. The upper left hand carrries the agni, a fire. The dance of Lord Nataraja is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy - creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and salvation. In this piece, the dancer portrays the happiness felt by Lord Nataraja when he dances.
Bhagyada Lakshmi
Ragam: Madhyamavati
Talam: Adi
Bhagyada Lakshmi is a popular Kannada song, in which the dancer invites Goddess Lakshmi into her house, through the enthralling poetry of Purandara Dasa. In this dance the words “Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma” are repeated, meaning “O Goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, come in to my home”
Thillana
Ragam: Paras
Talam: Adi
The last piece of a maragam is a thillana, a brisk upbeat item that highlights the strength of a dancer, while still demonstrating their grace and agility. Most of the thillana is nritta, with a small segment of aabhinaya about Rajarajeshwari, a form of Goddess Shakti.
mangalam
The dancer ends the Arangetram with Mangalam, meaning an auspicious ending. Here she does Namaskaram to god, guru and the audience to conclude the Arangetram.
