A Bharathanatya repertoire was curated and presented specially to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kala Taranga School. It was presented in February of 2024 in Phoenix. It was not only thematic as it was woven around the exquisite compositions on Sri Krishna but it was also a complete Bharathanatya repertoire (Maargam). The excellent orchestra support added more beauty to the grace of the dance and won rich accolades from the audience.
Program Brochure
Swagatham Krishna
Raaga Mohana
Adi Tala
Composed by Sri Oothakaadu Venkata Subbaiyer
This invocatory dance welcomes Krishna into our homes as well as into our hearts. It is a very famous composition known for its descriptive lyrics, and is most suited for dance.
Alaripu
Mishra Chaapu Tala
Alaripu is a traditional Bharatanatyam dance item. A student is introduced to different rhythms and patterns of nrittha, or pure dance. This alaripu is set to a seven-beat cycle.
Jathiswaram
Raaga Abhogi
Adi Tala
Jathiswaram is a traditional dance item which teaches a student to concentrate on nrithha, or the pure dance, as well as on the music part which is a variety of swara patterns set to a raga or melody. The different talas are introduced as well. It is a step towards the intricate dance patterns further ahead.
Shabdam
Raagamalika
Mishra Chaapu Tala
A dance item in the traditional margam, shabdam introduces a student into sahitya, abhinaya and story narration. It is generally sung in various melodies, or ragas. This shabdam describes the gopis yearning for Krishna.
Varnam
Raaga Reetigowla
Adi Tala
Composed by Sri Tirumalai Srinivas
The most comprehensive piece in the Bharatanatyam margam, the varnam is an exploration of both nrithha and abhinaya. It weaves together swara, sahityam and jathis in complex patterns. "Shri Krishna Kamalanatho" is a varnam created from the Krishna Ashtothhara Shatanaama Stotra. This has been set to music by Sri Tirumalai Srinivas. It describes the instances from Bhagavata; from the birth of Krishna to Geetopadesha.
Intermission
Joni Sakhi
Mishra Kaapi Raaga
Adi Tala
Joni Sakhi is a traditional composition about Krishna and his dance with the gopis. It describes the raasleela and the happiness it spreads throughout Brindavan and its people.
Jaganmohanane Krishna
Raagamalika
Adi Tala
Composed by Sri Purandara Dasa.
The devaranama is a devotional song in praise of the araadhya daiva of the composer. Today we have chosen to present a composition of the most revered poet, composer and pitamaha of Carnatic music - Sri Purandara Dasa. This song in Kannada praises Lord Krishna. The poet is amazed at the various miracles of Krishna, while praising the mysterious and marvelous solutions that Krishna could present at many tricky instances.
Ganamurthe
Raaga Ganamurthi
Adi Tala
Ganamurthe is the most celebrated composition of Sri Thyagaraja on Krishna. Here, Sri Thyagaraja describes Krishna, the one whom Rukmini adored; and his various instances from Navaneetha Krishna to Geethachaarya Krishna. This composition is choreographed as a conversation between Saint Thyagaraja and Krishna.
Thillana
Raaga Dhanashree
Adi Tala
Thillana is the most beautiful and befitting ending to any music or dance program. It is a highly energetic piece of dance filled with intricate musical patterns and dance steps, showcasing the beauty of both music and dance. The dancers showcase a wide variety of pure dance patterns. Today, the chosen thillana is a gem in the world of music and dance. A composition of Maharaja Swati Tirunal, this is an exquisite tapestry of dance.
Mangalam
Raaga Chalanaata
Adi Tala
Madhava Panchakam is a composition by Sri Oothakaadu Venkata Subbaiyer. The lyrics describe the auspiciousness of Shri Krishna. This stotra intertwines bhakti and jnana, the eternal with the visualized physical beauty of Sri Krishna.
The Artists
Asha Ramesh - Vocals
As an accomplished vocalist, she has been enthralling audiences for more than 3 decades! Her mellifluous singing filled with bhaava has won her accolades worldwide. Trained under Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri DK Jayaraman and Sri Nanganallur V. Ramanathan, Smt. Asha has won several awards and accolades. The rajaji memorial tambura award, the Swaminatha Pillai Memorial gold medal, the titles of Gana kala bhushani, Gana kala ratna, Isai arasi to name a few. She is also one of the very few vocalists to excel in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles of singing. A much sought after musician for many dance productions, she has supported both Bharathanatyam and Kathak dancers. She has toured USA, Canada, Netherlands, and UK as a concert musician as well. She is the founder and artistic director of Ragamalika School of Music in San Jose California.
Subrahmanyam Sudhakar - Mridangam
Sri Subrahmanyam Sudhakar needs no introduction to this audience. A wonderful percussion artist, he has accompanied many dancers and musicians over 3 decades, here and throughout the US and abroad. Having trained under Kumbakonam Sri Narayana swami Iyer and Sri MN Kandaswamy of Palani School; he further trained under Kalaimamani Sri Guruvayoor Dorai and Sri Ambathur Babu. Not just a classical percussionist, he is also a Jazz and Rock drummer. He is the founding member of Sonoran Masala, the fusion music group.
Krishna Kumar - Violin
A native of Southern California, Sri Krishna Kumar is a much sought after violinist. With his initial training under the eminent Sri Lakshminarayana, he continued his advanced learning under smt Viji Krishnan. For over 3 decades, Sri Krishna Kumar has accompanied leading musicians for both dance and music concerts. His proficiency and love for music is displayed through his strings that sing along every nuance with the vocalist.
Ankith Raman - Flute
On the flute, we have another localite, Sri Ankith Raman. He has trained under Dr KR Subramanyam since the age of 10. He is a sought after flautist by many dancers and musicians through out Arizona.
Miruthula Jegadesan - Natuvaangam
Miruthula Jegadesan is a Bharatanatyam dancer with over 18 years of practice. She is trained in the Kalakshetra style under the tutelage of Shreemathi Preeti Anand. She has performed extensively throughout the US and in India. Miruthula continues to train under her guru while teaching in her own dance school, Shree Natya Kalalaya. She balances her time as an IT professional and as a dancer. We are glad to have Miruthula join us in the ensemble and support us. Thank you Miruthula.