Natyodaya 2026
Trayī
1.Thondhi Ganapathi- Raga: Kalyani Talam: Adi
Little ones take their first steps into the world of dance, stringing together basic adavus in a delightful debut performance dedicated to Lord Ganesha, inviting him to grant a boon for a successful event ahead.
Choreography: Vaishali Ramachandran
Music: Shruthi Rajalakshmi
Dancers: Anika Veguru, Aryasri Sundaram, Kashvi Vikramaditya, Kriti Parthasarathy, Manasvini Balachandran, Samanvitha Muralidharan, Sasha Chandra Malla, Tara Chandramouly, Vihana Pandiri.
2.Pushpanjali: Offering of Flowers- Raga: Naatai Tala:Adi
Pushpanjali is a devotional offering of flowers to Lord Nataraja. It is typically the invocatory presentation that sets the stage with grace and devotion for the following dances.
Choreography: Sanjana Ganesan and Nirvyaja Ponramajegan
Dancers: Aditi Karthigeyan, Adya Shrivatsa, Anagha Rao, Anvi Paleti, Niranthara Ponramajegan, Sanjitha Harini Venkatesh, Sthuthi Malli, Tara Ramanathan,Yashaswini Donthireddy.
- Trimatha Kauthvam- Raga: Ragamalika Tala: Adi
Kauthvams are poems in praise of a deity. In this, the dancers call upon the Trimatha, the three forces, three forms but one eternal power! They invoke trishakti, the divine feminine power that forms the root of all existence.
Choreography: Vaishali Ramachandran
Composer: Sri D.V Prassana Kumar
Dancers: Isha Malla, Manasvini Chengavalli, Nirvyaja Ponramajegan, Ratria Yoga, Sanjana Ganesan, Sukriti Tumuluru.
- Saraswathi Vandanam
The dancers will present a Hymn in praise of Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of music and art. This will be followed by an alaripu. Alaripu literally means blossoming flower and just like a flower slowly blossoms, the bodies and minds of the dancers awaken. It is a nritta composition, where rhythm and movement speak without words. This particular Alaripu is set in tishram a three-beat cycle.
Choreography: Vaishali Ramachandran
Dancers: Anvi Paleti, Daksha Thirumani, Nila Sengathir, Sreshta Kasaraneni, Tara Saraswathi Ramanathan, and Yashaswini Donthireddy
- Saraswathi Kauthvam- Raga: Raagamalika Tala: Khanda Jaathi Triputa Talam
A kauthvam on Goddess Saraswathi, is a beautiful poem of praise describing her as the one seated on a white lotus, holding a veena and a book in her hand, exuberant with grace and beauty and an embodiment of knowledge (the four Vedas). She is perceived as the giver of boons and wisdom.
Composer: Madurai S. Muralidharan
Choreography: Vaishali Ramachandran
Dancers: Smt. Vaishali Ramachandran, Isha Malla, Manasvini Chengavalli, Nandhana Kavin Sangavi, Nirupama Chengavalli, Nirvyaja Ponramajegan, Ratria Yoga, Sanjana Ganesan, Stavyaa Santhosh, Vaishnavi Sashikantha.
- Shringapuradishwari Raga: Kalyani Tala: Adi
A melodious composition dedicated to the presiding deity of Shringeri, Sharadamba, “Shringapuradeeshwari Sharade” is described as the giver of auspiciousness and embodiment of poetry, music and arts. She also blesses the devotee with ultimate enlightenment, insight and realization.
Composer: Sri Padma Charan
Choreography: Dr Padmaja Suresh
Dancer: Smt. Vaishali Ramachandran
- Amma Anandadayini (Varnam) – Raga: Gambeeranaatai Tala: Adi
The narrative unfolds celebrating the divine mother as the bestower of bliss, and the embodiment of the sacred sound AUM, acknowledging her as the creator, protector, and destroyer of the cosmos. Through dance, the exploration reveals that everything, from creation to destruction, emanates from her divine essence, illustrating her omnipresence and omnipotence.
Composer: Sri Balamuralikrishna
Choreography: Guru Dr Padmaja Suresh reimagined for group by Smt. Vaishali Ramachandran
Dancers: Smt. Vaishali Ramachandran, Isha Malla, Manasvini Chengavalli, Nirvyaja Ponramajegan, Ratria Yoga, Sanjana Ganesan, Sukriti Tumuluru.
- Shyamale Meenakshi: “Madurai’s Radiant Queen” – Raga: Shankarabharanam Tala:Adi
A dance epic chronicle unfolds, depicting the life of Goddess Meenakshi, from her divine birth and triumphs up to the sacred union with Lord Shiva, famously known as the Thirukalyanam, all set to the enchanting notes of a beautiful Muthuswami Deekshithar’s nottuswaram.
Concept, Choreography & Nattuvangam: Vaishali Ramachandran
Music Composition & Vocal: Smt Sindhu Natarajan
Kanjeera: Sri N. Narayan
Dancers: Kriti Parthasarathy (Baby Meenakshi), Vedanshi Bhake (Princess Meenakshi), Aditi Karthigeyan (Devi Meenakshi), Anvi Paleti (Lord Sundareshvara), Shreshta Kasaraneni (MahaVishnu), Sthuthi Malli (Goddess Lakshmi), Nirupama Chengavalli (Rishi), Nirvyaja Ponramajegan(Acharya), Ratria Yoga (Queen Kanchanamala), Stavyaa Santhosh (Malayadhwaja)
Aadhirai Arunkumar Porkodi, Ahana Prasad Joshi, Diya Beemini Ajith, Sanjitha Harini Venkatesh, Nila Sengathir, Anagha Rao, Adya Shrivatsa, Niranthara Ponramajegan, Satyana Krothapalli, Shakti Ravishankar, Tara Saraswathi Ramanathan, Yashaswini Donthireddy, Daksha Thirumani, Sreshta Kasaraneni
- Ashtalakshmi Vandanam and Mahalakshmi Kauthvam
Goddess Mahalakshmi is the embodiment of auspiciousness, beauty, abundance, radiance and compassion. She manifests in eight forms together known as Ashtalakshmi. The eight forms, namely Adilakshmi, Santana Lakshmi Gaja Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhaiya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi and finally Vijaya Lakshmi, represent the various attributes of abundance and prosperity.
Ashtalakmi Aavahanam
Composers: Sri Chitraveena Ravikiran Choreography- Dr Divyasena
Dancers: Ratria Yoga, Vaishnavi Shashikantha, Nirupama Chengavalli, Stavyaa Santhosh, Nandhana Kavin Sangavi
Mahalakshmi Kauthvam
Composition and Choreography: Sri Madurai R. Muralidharan
Dancers: Aditi Karthigeyan, Adya Shrivatsa, Anagha Rao, Nila Sengathir,Niranthara Ponramajegan, Sanjitha Harini Venkatesh, Sthuthi Malli, Tara Saraswathi Ramanathan
10. Om Shakti Raga: Khamboji Tala: Tisra Adi
A presentation of a few excerpts of powerful and timeless composition of the legendary poet, Sri Subramanya Bharati, paying obeisance to Goddesses Parvati, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi.
Composer: Sri Subramanya Bharati
Choreography: Smt Vaishali Ramachandran
Dancers: Jagadeeshwari Periyasamy, Lavanya Srivatsa, Ramya Ramnath
11.Nava Shakti – The Nine Manifestations and Ai GiriNandini- Raga: Raagamalika Tala: Taalamalika
The Nava Shaktis take the stage as Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Vairahi, Nrusimhi, Aindri, Shivadoothi, and Chamundi. Each divine form gracefully unfolds, portraying the goddess’ infinite manifestations that nurture and safeguard the cosmos. The performance advances into traditional Kali Kowthwam and culminates with the triumphant Mahishasura Mardini. This will be followed by a few excerpts from Mahishasura Mardini Stotram composed by Adi Shankara Charya. This denotes the victory of divine over evil very aptly marks the final offering.
Concept and Compilation: Chakyaar Koothu Sri K. K. Rajan
Choreography: Dr Padmaja Suresh
Composition: Verses from Devi Mahatmyam
Dancers: Nandhana Kavin Sangavi, Nirupama Chengavalli, Nirvyaja Ponramajegan, Ratria Yoga, Stavyaa Santhosh Vaishnavi Sashikantha.
Ai Girinandini Dancers : Dayananda Kalalayam Dance School
Production Credits
Artistic Direction: Vaishali Ramachandran
Emcee: Manasvini Chengavalli, Ratria Yoga, Aaruni Rao
Stage Management: Akila Rao, Poornima Rangaswamy, Sangavi Arumugam
Lighting: Naveen Nathan
Sound and Console Management: Vidyuth Pasumarthi
Photography & Videography: Santhosh Selvaraj – Pratibimb Creative
Graphic Design: Ratria Yoga
Trophy Design: Sangavi Arumugam
Online Ticketing Website Design: Santhosh Selvaraj, Krishna Chengavalli
Social Media Manager: Supraja Kolluri
Teaching Assistant Fall 2025-Spring 2026: Nirvyaja Ponramajegan, Ratria Yoga, Stavyaa Santhosh, Manasvini Chengavalli
Program Notes: Vaishali Ramachandran, Smita Dodlaty
Volunteers: Students & Parents of Performers
This event is partly Sponsored by Mr. Giri Lankepally
