Pushpanjali

Pushpanjali

Since Indian Dance was performed in the temples, therefore as a ritual the dancer would begin by offering the flowers to the God. Hence the name Pushpanjali- offering of flowers. The dancer pays her obeisance to the Ashtadikpălas, that is, the Guardians of the eight directions, the Guru and the audience. Later when dance no longer remained confined in the Temples and stepped out to be developed as an exclusive presentation, then some of the ritualistic compositions got lost. Perhaps that is the reason items like Pushpanjali and Kautukams are not being included in the Tanjore Quartette Format and instead we have Alărippu as the invocatory item. But again these items are being performed in todays recitals as they bring variety in the programme and also because of the fact that flowers are symbolic of pure mind.

 

 

Pushpãnjali | Alãrippu  |  Jatiswaram |  Shabdam |  Varnam | Padams |  Tillana |  Mangalam