Rāga: Saraswathi, Tāla: Ādi, Composer: Sri Madurai R. Muralidharan, Choreography: Smt. Roopa Anand

The performance begins with “Pushpanjali”, a traditional invocatory composition that translates to “offering of flowers with devotion.” The dancer enters the stage, and seeks blessings from the Divine Lord, the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. 

Rāga: Hamsadhwani, Tāla: Rūpaka, Composer: Sri Harikeśanallur Muthaiah Bhagavatar, Choreography: Smt. Roopa Anand

In this Ganesha krithi (composition), the dancer extols and salutes Ganapathi, the elephant-faced God. The son of Goddess Shankari, the one with lotus-like feet, and worshiped by Lord Brahma (the creator) and other Gods, He destroys the worries of his devotees, creates auspiciousness, and is a treasure of good qualities. 

Rāga: Ragamalika, Tāla: Tishra Gathi, Composer: Sri K.N. Dhandayudapani Pillai, Choreography: Guru B Bhanumanti

This “padam” is in praise of the divine art form of classical dance. It describes how dance benefits the learner with a flawless body and peaceful mind, and creates joy to its viewers. Under the guidance of a kind and respected Guru, the dancer can learn to depict stories about everyone in all walks of life. Simple smiles, graceful walks, silly fights, love without words: anything can be depicted by the beautiful art of dance!  

Ragam: Ranjani, Taalam: Aadi, Composer: Sri Madurai R. Muralidharan, Choreography: Guru Smt. Sheela Chandrasekar

The Varnam is the central, and most intricate, piece in a Bharatanatyam repertoire giving the dancer abundant scope to display her mastery of the various aspects of the dance form including rhythm, technique, and expression, and featuring complex fast-paced footwork, intricate hand gestures, and expressive facial expressions. This particular Varnam praises the powerful Goddess Devi, and expresses the nature of the ‘tri-devis’ -- Goddess Durga, for valor, Goddess Lakshmi, for wealth and prosperity, and Goddess Saraswathi, for knowledge. The power and energy of women is explored in this Pada Varnam, with how the Devi manifests herself depending on the situation, illustrating all the emotions, from angst, anger, to mercy.

Raagam: Revathy, Taalam: Tishram, Composer: Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasar, Choreography: Smt. Roopa Anand

This krithi describes Lord Rama: his lotus-like eyes, his bluish complexity, his beautiful hair, the ringing sound of his anklets, and his love of music. Describing Him as the primordial load of the universe and the protector, the composer expresses his love for Rama and invites him, “Oh Ramabhadra, please come, along with Sita.” 

The krithi is preceded by a navarasa slokha that depicts the nava-rasas (or nine emotions) through stories from the Ramayana: (1) sringara -- love -- when Rama sees Sita for the first time; (2) veera -- courage -- when Rama wields Shiva's bow; (3) kaarunya -- compassion -- when Rama forgives the demon Kakasura; (4) haasya -- laughter -- and (5) bhaya -- fear -- when Rama laughingly rebuffs Soorpanaka's advances while Sita is nervous about the demoness, (6) adhbutha -- wonder -- when writing the word "Rama" allows stones to float on the mighty ocean to make a bridge to Lanka, (7) Bhibhatsa -- repulsion or abhorrence -- when Rama turns away from advances from other women, (8) roudram -- anger -- when Rama fights with the evil Ravana, and (9) shantam -- tranquility -- reflected in Rama's interactions with the Rishis of Dandakavanam. 

Raagam: Ragamalika, Taalam: Aadi, Composer: Sri K.N. Dandayudapani Pillai, Choreography: Guru B. Banumathi

This padam is centered around the concept of a naayika (heroine) expressing her love and longing for her naayaka (the Lord/Hero). In this padam, the naayika tells her friend about Lord Shiva, describing his majestic looks and divine beauty, and his magnificent and talented dancing. She is captivated with love and longing, eagerly awaiting his arrival. 

Rāga: Kambhoji, Tāla: Khanda Ćāpu Composer: Sri Purandara Dasa, Choreography: Smt. Roopa Anand

Devaranama is a devotional piece where the emphasis is on bhakthi, love, and surrender, expressed through abhinaya. This song praises Gopala, the beloved and handsome deity of the Gopikas. He is the supreme ruler, the lord of Lakshmi, the creator of Brahma, and the origin of the Ganga river. Gopala's divine qualities, heroism, and associations with Garuda and Adi Sesha make him unparalleled among deities.

Rāga: Thilang, Tāla:Ādi, Composer: Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, Choreography: Smt. Roopa Anand 

A thillana is a lively and virtuosic dance composition at the end of the performance that showcases the dancer’s technical skill and artistry through intricate footwork and rhythmic patterns. This thillana celebrates Lord Muruga’s many qualities and prays for His blessings.