Radha Madhava Samvadam - Leela Taranga Margam - Sridevi Nrithyalaya - Bharathanatyam Dance

Choreography - Smt.Sheela Unnikrishnan
Music & Vocals - Sri Kuldeep M Pai
Dancers - Harinie Jeevitha as Radha & Bhairavi Venkatesan as Krishna

Radha-Madhava Samvaadha Tarangam – Behag ragam & Aadhi thalam

Krishna and Radha revel in one another. Radha, who has lost herself in the majestic gait and impeccable beauty of Krishna, says, "Oh Handsome one! Will you grant me ultimate bliss eternally?" While Krishna, the omniscient onlooker of the cosmos replies, "Oh graceful Radha, who walks like a swan! You are my beloved one worthy of my selfless love. In my heart that is flooded with love, you are the lotus that blooms." Saying so, Krishna whose beauty entices Cupid himself, kisses Radha with His tender lips.

As Krishna and Radha dwell in moments of intense elation, Radha reverts to reality and asks, if Krishna will be an eternal companion to her languid soul. Krishna, the perpetual protector of the Universe answers her in the affirmative. This Tarangam of Theertha's that exhibits the lovers' secret conversation is one that holds profound philosophical import apart from being anchored in Sringara Rasa.

LEELA TARANGA MARGAM - the Program

Sridevi Nrithyalaya presents Leela Taranga Margam, a Margam with interesting compilation of songs and verses from Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini. Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini, a magnum opus, is a Sanskrit opera authored by Saint Narayana Theertha (1675 - 1745), an ascetic and scholar from Andhra region. He was an ardent devotee of Sri Krishna and he summarized his spontaneous devotional outpourings as Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini, an unparalleled musical treatise with 12 chapters comprising of 153 songs, 302 slokams and 31 choomikas, known as Tarangams. Tarangams depict the life and childhood pranks (Leelas) of Sri Krishna, and concludes with His wedding with Rukmini. The poems of Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini are of rich poetic quality containing chaste Sanskrit and clear diction, famous for its lyrical beauty and exquisite rhythm that evoke 'Navarasam' and occupy a prominent part in our Indian classical dance and music.

Leela Taranga Margam, a maiden effort of Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan on an experimental basis, is a collection of different verses from Tarangams to suit the regular Bharathanatya Margam format. Since Tarangam means waves and Leela Taranga Margam brings out interesting episodes from Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini, one after another, depicting Sri Krishna Leela, the presentation is aptly titled.
Leela Taranga Margam stages 7 dance numbers viz., 1. Iswara Praarthanam (Hamsadhwani – Rupakam) praises Krishna as the embodiment of cosmos, 2. Krishna Kouthvam (Shanmukhapriya – Misra chapu) projects the all the incarnations of Vishnu, who is Krishna, the personification of transcendental Truth, 3. Punya-nama Swarajathi (Bilahari – Adhi) describes the benefit of chanting the sacred names of the Saviour, 4. Varnam (Thodi – adhi), the central piece, brings out the beauty of child Krishna and His leelas, 5. Radha-Madhava Samvadha Tarangam (Behag – Adhi) portrays the secret conversation between the Radha and Krishna, that churns out Sringara rasa, 6. Thillana (Nagaswaravali – Adhi) exhibits nritha and concludes with a verse on Rukmini and Sri Krishna and the finale, 7. Mangalam (Sourashtra – Adhi) hails Krishna, the pure minded and the Protector of all.

Concept, Choreography & Nattuvangam – Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan
Music Composition & Vocal – Sri Kuldeep M Pai
Jathis Composition & Mridangam – Sri Guru Bharadhwaaj
Violin – Embar Sri Kannan
Flute – Sri Vishnu Vijay
Veenai – Trissur Sri Murali
Dancers – Students of Sridevi Nrithyalaya