ATMA Foundation

PUSHPANJALI - Bharathanatyam  Pushpanjali literally means offering of flowers to hindu deities in India. In Bharatanatyam pushpanjali is one of the dance number, which is performed in the very beginning of a performance or Arangetram. Pushpa means flower, where as anjali means salutation by holding the hands together with palm facing inwards. So Pushpanjali means offering flowers as a salutation to the Dance God, Lord Natraja. In any Bharatanatyam recital, the dancer performs a full margam which includes a series of items viz., Pushpanjali, Alarippu, Jathiswaram, kauthuvam, shabdham, varnam, Javali, thillana. Pushpanjali being the first dance piece to commence the recital, the dancer carries (or pretends ) flowers in hands and performs korvai(series or combination of adavus) covering all the four sides and corners of the stage, then the flowers are offered to the Cosmic God Lord Natarajar placed in one corner of the stage. Followed by the offerings to Natarajar the dancer does the ...

  THULLALKALA There are three different types of Thullal, classified according to the metre and rhythm of the  songs sung in each one and the differences in constume and dance. Among the classical performing arts of Kerala, Thullal is distinct with its simplicity of presentation and its frank, outspoken wit and humour. The songs are in simple Malayalam and the techniques employed in this art are not rigid, though they are base d on the classical principles of Naatya Saastra, a treatise on art originating in the 2nd century B.C. it is said to have been a modification of Koothu. There are three different types of Thullal, classified according to the metre and rhythm of the songs sung in each one and the differences in constume and dance. They are Ottan Thullal, Seethankan Thullal and Parayan Thullal. Seethankan Thullal: The songs and dance in this form of thullal are slower than Ottan thullal in metre and rhythm and in tempo. The dancer uses a piece of black cloth tied tightly ...