Program

This hymn is by Adi Shankaracharya describing the half man half woman form of Lord Shiva, 'Ardha Naareeshwara'. This divine form of Ardha Naareeshwara represents the significance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, both of whom are equal and inseparable. The lyrics offer a comparison of Goddess Parvati to Lord Shiva: Her braided hair to His matted locks, Her red kumkum to His third eye, Her necklace of flowers to His garland of skulls, and Her creation of the cosmos to His destruction of the universe.

Raagam: Revati, Aanandabhairavi, and Amritavarshini

Taalam: Khanda Chapu

Hymns: Adi Shankara

Music: Vasanthi Kannan, Asha Ramesh

Language: Sanskrit

The next piece is presented as the most elaborate piece in today's recital in place of the varnam. It includes nritta, nritya, and naatya. This composition describes episodes from the glorious ancient epic, the Ramayana. The dancer begins by meditating upon the form of Lord Rama, the prince who hails from the Raghu dynasty.

The story begins when the sage Vishvamitra asks King Dasharatha for his son Rama to accompany him into the forest to defeat the asuras (demons) that have come to destroy his yajna. Rama defeats the asuras, and later places his foot upon a stone as directed by Vishvamitra, freeing the maiden Ahalya from her curse. In King Janaka’s court, Rama lifts the mighty bow of Lord Shiva with such ease that it breaks, thus winning Sita’s hand in marriage.

In Ayodhya, Queen Kaikeyi, Rama’s stepmother, demands that her son, Bharata, be crowned king, and Rama be sent to the forest for fourteen years. Honoring her wishes, Rama, along with Sita, and his brother Lakshmana, heads to the forest, where he comes upon the boatman Guha, who takes them across the river to the hill Chitrakuta. There, Bharata comes running to Rama, pleading with Rama to return to Ayodhya, stating that he does not want the crown. When Rama refuses, explaining that he cannot break his word to his father, Bharata asks for his sandals, so he can rule the land in Rama’s absence.

In Panchavati, the demoness Surpanakha, who threatens Sita, is mutilated, and cries out for revenge. Surpanakha's brother, the ten-headed asura Ravana, sends his uncle Maricha in the form of a golden deer. When Sita sees the deer, she begs Rama to bring it for her, and when Rama leaves to do so, Ravana comes disguised as a sage, and abducts her, taking her to Lanka. Along the river Pampa, Rama meets the monkey Hanuman, or Anjaneya, and befriends the monkey king Sugriva.

The monkeys set out in search of Sita. Rama gives his ring to Hanuman to give to Sita. Hanuman crosses the ocean to Lanka, finds Sita, gives her the ring, and returns with her chudaamani, which he gives to Rama. Rama then befriends the demon prince Vibheeshana, the brother of Ravana.

The monkeys build a bridge across the ocean, and Rama, along with Lakshmana, traverses the bridge. Upon reaching Lanka, Rama defeats the asuras, and kills Ravana. Later, along with Sita and Lakshmana, Rama returns to Ayodhya, where he is crowned king.

Raagam: Raagamalika

Talam: Roopaka

Composer: Sri Swaati Tirunaal

Additional music: Semmangudi Srinivaasa Iyer

Language: Sanskrit

The next piece is a jaavali (a composition that evokes romance), which describes a woman who is angry with her lover for promising to bring her gifts, but instead arriving empty-handed. Annoyed, she admonishes him thus:

'Why did you make all of those false promises?

You pinched my cheeks and spoke about love with me.

You promised to get me a nose ring, bangles, and earrings.

Oh Lord, your sweet words deceived me.'

Raagam: Poorvi Kalyani

Taalam: Aadi

Composer: Sri Tiruppaanandal Pattaabhiraamayya

Language: Telugu