Bharatanatyam Recital

Welcome to the Bharatanatyam Recital! We invite you to join us for an enchanting evening of classical Indian dance at the RE Franks Meeting & Banquet Center. Experience the beauty and grace of Bharatanatyam as our talented young performers share this traditional art form with you. Experience the culture and traditions of India through their movements and storytelling. This is a great chance to enjoy a memorable performance. Reserve your spot now to be part of this unique event! Light refreshments will be available at the venue.

Info: The term "Pushpānjali" comes from Sanskrit and means "offering of flowers." It refers to a devotional dance performed at the beginning of a Bharatanatyam performance. In this dance, performers offer flowers to the divine while using graceful hand gestures and rhythmic footwork. This Pushpānjali composition is set to the "Nētimati" rāga and the Ādi Tāla, and it was choreographed by Smt. Ganga Thampi of Kalākshetra in Chennai.

Info: The dancers perform to a remix of the renowned Carnātic composition "Mahāganapatim," originally written and composed by Sri Muthuswāmy Deekshithar in the raga "Nātta" and set to Ādi Tāla.

Info: The Alarippu in Tisra Jathi is traditionally the first dance piece that Bharatanātyam dancers learn. It symbolizes the offering of respect to God, the guru, and the audience. This dance focuses entirely on rhythm and emphasizes the relaxation of the dancer's body.

Info: This is a vibrant pure dance piece in Bharatanātyam that combines intricate jathis (rhythmic patterns) with melodic swara (musical note) passages. The composition incorporates multiple rāgās (Rāgamālika), which adds variety and richness. Additionally, the 7-beat Misra Chāppu Tāla presents a unique rhythmic challenge.

Info: In Bharatanātyam, Shabdam refers to a dance piece that introduces expressions, known as abhinaya, for the first time in the repertoire. Typically, it is a short composition in praise of a deity or a king, employing meaningful words and gestures to convey its subject matter. Shabdam is regarded as an expressive piece where dancers use facial expressions and hand gestures to translate poetry into dance.


In this performance, the dancer performs to "Thillai Ambalam," a Shabdam composed by Arunāchalam Pillai, set in Rāgamālika and Misra Chāppu Tāla. This work praises Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram, depicting his cosmic dance in the sacred hall of Thillai. With alternating sections of expressive storytelling and rhythmic passages, "Thillai Ambalam" marks a significant transition into narrative expression in a Bharatanātyam performance, following pure dance items like Alarippu and Jathiswaram.

Info: "Rāra Vēṇu Gōpabāla" is a popular Carnatic kriti written and composed by Patnam Subramanya Iyer in Rāga Bilahari and set to Ādi Tāla. This devotional piece is an appeal to Lord Krishna, affectionately calling him the flute-playing cowherd boy. In Bharatanātyam, it is performed as an abhinaya item, allowing the dancer to express Krishna’s playful charm, divine beauty, and loving relationship with his devotees. The bright and joyful mood of Bilahari rāga perfectly complements the affectionate tone of the lyrics, making it a favorite in both vocal and dance repertoires.

Info: In Bharatanātyam, a Varnam is a complex and central piece in the dance repertoire, showcasing both technical skill and expressive ability. It is a bridge between pure dance (Nritta) and expressive dance (Nritya), requiring the dancer to demonstrate both intricate footwork and nuanced facial expressions and gestures.

Info: In Bharatanātyam, a Mangalam is a traditional concluding piece performed at the end of a dance recital, often dedicated to seeking blessings.

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