Description of the dances performed

Pushpanjali

Literally, an offering of flowers. The dancer pays her salutation to God, her guru and the audience by offering flowers. Short and brisk, it is purely a nritta item (only body movements) and helps the dancer to warm up. It includes a prayer to Lord Ganapathi, the destroyer of all obstacles.
Raga – kadyothkanti
Tala - adi

Allaripu

Allaripu literally means the blooming of a flower and this invocatory item is also purely nritta and consists of brisk eye and neck movements.  
Tala - sankeerna

Varna

The dancer here is Nayaki who is a great devotee of Lord Shiva. She wants to know why he is so indifferent inspite of her intense prayers and worship. She tells him that the arrows of cupid have struck her and she cannot bear His abandonment any longer. Even the sweet voice of the parrots hurt her due to His separation.
Tala – roopaka
Raga - poornachandrike

Sri Valli

Lord Subramanya is a Ray born of the consciousness of Lord Shiva. The dancer describes him with his two wives, Valli and Devyani, who represent the power of action and knowledge respectively. His spear is the emblem of power. His vehicle, the peacock, signifies that He has conquered pride, egoism and vanity. The dancer further goes on to describe how the lord tested Sri valli’s devotion before marrying her.
Raga – natabhairavi
Tala – adi

Yaman Yelli

After presenting the greatness of the Lord in His different forms, the dancer concludes that Sri Krishna is the only way to salvation. Stories depicted include:

• Lord Sri Rama’s killing of Ravana, the rakshasa (demon).
• The second episode from the Mahabharatha, where Lord Krishna delivers the Geetopadesha (preaching)  to relieve Arjuna of his dilemma.
• Narsimha Avatara where Narsimha, the tenth avatara(incarnation) of Lord Vishnu kills the deadly demon Hiranyakashyap.

Raga – shivaranjini
Tala - adi

Thillana

The final section, is a nritta item comprising complex footwork and captivating dance poses.
Raga – brindavani
Tala - adi

Mangalam

The performance closes with the dancer showing her gratitude to the audience, her guru, the musicians, the Earth and God.

Ganesha stuti

A hymn in praise of Lord Ganesha, it describes Ganesha, the one-toothed and elephant-faced son of Lord Shiva who is worshiped by all the gods. Ganesha is the protector of His devotees and no one equals His powers. 
Raga – nata
Tala - adi

Jaya Janaki Ramana

This includes both nritta and nritya (body movements and expressions). The song traverses through different ragas (rhythm) and different talas (beats). In praise of Lord Rama, whose consort is Janaki or Sita. It describes Rama with lotus-like feet, one who removes sins and purifies his devotees. He is the destructor of demons and bears Goddess Lakshmi in His heart. A few of his incarnations are depicted.
Raga – ragamalike
Tala – talamalike

Ee Pariya

The dancer enters as a devotee of Lord Krishna and on seeing His idol, describes His beauty and sings His praises. Bravery, beauty or greatness, Lord Krishna in all his leelas (short stories of divine play), is the greatest. The stories depicted include:

1. The second episode from the Mahabharatha where Lord Krishna delivers the Geetopadesha to relieve Arjuna of his dilemma.
2. Andal, the girl who after putting her flower garland around Krishna’s neck realizes His beauty in all its splendor forgetting her own self.
3. Putani Samhara – How Putani, the demon sent by Kansa to kill infant Krishna, takes the form of a beautiful lady but is eventually killed.

Raga – kambogi
Tala – khanda