Vidyalatha Jeerage

Divine Companions: A Margam Through the Vahanas

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This margam explores the sacred relationship between the divine and their companions — the vahanas. In Hindu tradition, a vahana is often known as the vehicle of a deity, but its meaning goes far beyond that. Each vahana reflects a quality, lesson, or inner truth connected to the deity it accompanies.

Through this performance, the dancer journeys through humility, wisdom, courage, devotion, love, surrender, and joy. 

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1. Pushpanjali

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Pushpanjali is the traditional opening item of a Bharatanatyam margam. It is an offering of flowers, respect, and devotion. The dancer offers salutations to the divine, the guru, the stage, the musicians, and the audience.

This item prepares the space with reverence and invites blessings for the performance to unfold with grace.

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Raga: Kadyodh Kanti
Tala: Adi
Composer: Vidwan Thirumale Srinivas
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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2. Prabho Ganapathe — Ganesha and Mushika

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This item invokes Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and his companion Mushika, the mouse. Though small, Mushika carries a profound meaning. He represents humility and the surrender of ego.

The lyrics praise Ganesha as the primordial lord, radiant in wisdom and consciousness. They also remind us that while many search for the divine outside, true realization begins within.

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Raga: Thilang
Tala: Adi
Composer: Agathiyar
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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3. Jathiswaram

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Jathiswaram is a pure dance item, focusing on rhythm, movement, geometry, and grace. There is no sahityam or abhinaya in this piece. Instead, the dancer communicates through footwork, lines, and patterns.

In the context of this margam, the dancer’s body itself becomes the carrier of rhythm and devotion, reflecting the energy and movement of the divine companions.

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Raga: Saveri
Tala: Roopaka
Composer: Tanjore Quartet
Choreography: Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale

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4. Mamavatu Sri Saraswati — Saraswati and Hamsa

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This piece celebrates Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and refined expression. She is accompanied by Hamsa, the swan.

The Hamsa symbolizes purity and viveka — the wisdom to distinguish truth from illusion. The lyrics praise Saraswati as the one who holds the veena, blesses noble seekers, and represents the essence of the Vedas.

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Raga: Hindola
Tala: Adi
Composer: Mysore Vasudevacharya
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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5. Jaganmohanane Krishna 

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This Purandara Dasa composition is presented in a varnam format, the central and most demanding piece of the margam. It combines pure dance, rhythm, abhinaya, and storytelling.

Krishna is praised as Jaganmohanane — the one who enchants the world and protects creation. The item includes episodes such as Poothana Samhara, Kalinga Narthana, Mohini Bhasmasura, Duryodhana, and Dashavatara.

Krishna is deeply connected to all living beings — cows, calves, birds, peacocks, serpents, and every creature of Vrindavan. In Kalinga Narthana, the serpent becomes a symbol of pride and poison, which Krishna transforms into surrender.

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Raga: Behag
Tala: Adi
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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6. Ambha - Durga and Simha

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This item opens the second half with Mother Goddess Durga and her lion, Simha. The lion represents courage, fearlessness, command, and the strength to face adversity.

The piece explores the many dimensions of the Goddess through the nine navarasas. It concludes with the powerful Mahishasura sanchari and excerpts from the Aigiri Nandini slokam, celebrating the victory of divine strength over darkness.

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Raga: Ranjani
Tala: Adi
Composer: Vidwan Balasubramanya Sharma
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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7. Bho Shambho — Shiva and Nandi

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This item brings the journey into stillness, devotion, and surrender through Lord Shiva and Nandi. Nandi represents patience, loyalty, and unwavering devotion.

The composition praises Shiva as Bho Shambho, Gangadhara, Shankara, Karunakara, the formless supreme reality, and the eternal cosmic dancer. Nandi reminds us that true strength can be quiet, faithful, and deeply rooted in devotion.

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Raga: Revathi
Tala: Adi
Composer: Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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8. Yaro Ivar Yaro — Padam

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This padam brings a softer mood of love, wonder, and longing. In the gardens of Mithila, Sita stands in her balcony and sees Rama for the first time. She wonders, “Who is he? What is his name?”

In the choreography, Sita’s parrot brings news of Rama’s arrival, while a gentle deer becomes Rama’s quiet companion. The flowers, breeze, birds, and forest become part of this tender love story, carrying emotions that words cannot express.

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Raga: Bhairavi
Tala: Adi
Composer: Arunachala Kavi
Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage

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9. Valachi Thillana continuing into Mangalam

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The Thillana brings the margam toward a joyful conclusion through rhythm, energy, and celebration. The sahityam brings together sacred forms connected to Durga, Mushika, Mayil, Nandi, and Garuda, reminding us of the many lessons carried through the evening.

The Thillana continues into the Mangalam, concluding with Lord Muruga and his peacock, Mayil. The peacock symbolizes beauty, joy, and the triumph of light over darkness. The performance ends by returning to the purest and most vibrant state — joy.

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Raga: Valachi
Tala: Adi
Composer: Smt. Dwaraki Krishnaswamy
Thillana Choreography: Guru Narmada
Mangalam Choreography: Vidyalatha Jeerage