1. Invocation - Thevaram “Thodudaiya Seviyan”
Raga: N/A
Tala: Ek taal
Composer: N/A
Description of item: god Shiva, who is also, to many of us, the deity who presides over all things related to dance.
He is best known in his role as the destroyer - he who brings an end to the entire universe simply by perforning his tandava.
But that thought process is a simple view of a deeper underlying theology.
He is known as adi guru - the first teacher, adi yogi - the first yogi, ardhanarisvara - the one who is half male and half female, umapati - consort of uma, nataraja - the lord of dance, Vishvanath - master of the universe, Veerabhadra - the master of the underworld, Gunagrahin - the one who accepts the wild and crazy ganas.
It is with this deeper understanding that we approach the great deity Shiva this year, hoping you and I can connect together with him on this stage
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, , Sisira Veerapaneni
Tala: Ek taal
Composer: N/A
Description of item: god Shiva, who is also, to many of us, the deity who presides over all things related to dance.
He is best known in his role as the destroyer - he who brings an end to the entire universe simply by perforning his tandava.
But that thought process is a simple view of a deeper underlying theology.
He is known as adi guru - the first teacher, adi yogi - the first yogi, ardhanarisvara - the one who is half male and half female, umapati - consort of uma, nataraja - the lord of dance, Vishvanath - master of the universe, Veerabhadra - the master of the underworld, Gunagrahin - the one who accepts the wild and crazy ganas.
It is with this deeper understanding that we approach the great deity Shiva this year, hoping you and I can connect together with him on this stage
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, , Sisira Veerapaneni
2. Name of piece: Vocal 2 - Swara pallav
Raga: Hindolam
Tala: Adi
Composer: N/A
Description of item: Shiva is known to be the master over the cycles of life, his role is not merely to obliterate everything around him but leave it ready for renewal by Prakriti (or the nurturing form of the Goddess).
So too, these cycles are found in the teaching of dance and music - as we the teachers grow old and are no longer able to body the art form as we once did, the tradition of guru shishya parampara - or the passing down of knowledge - is found in teaching our youngest students, and inspiring them the way we once were, so they can carry on the cycle.
In this way, through teaching alone, we learn from this aspect of Shiva, how to accept and be one with the cycles of life.
Participants names in this item: Maya Gill, Navya Prasad, Rewa Verma, Shireen Sikand, Sohila Sikand and Sameera Sikand.
Tala: Adi
Composer: N/A
Description of item: Shiva is known to be the master over the cycles of life, his role is not merely to obliterate everything around him but leave it ready for renewal by Prakriti (or the nurturing form of the Goddess).
So too, these cycles are found in the teaching of dance and music - as we the teachers grow old and are no longer able to body the art form as we once did, the tradition of guru shishya parampara - or the passing down of knowledge - is found in teaching our youngest students, and inspiring them the way we once were, so they can carry on the cycle.
In this way, through teaching alone, we learn from this aspect of Shiva, how to accept and be one with the cycles of life.
Participants names in this item: Maya Gill, Navya Prasad, Rewa Verma, Shireen Sikand, Sohila Sikand and Sameera Sikand.
3. Name of piece: Particle Physics/The Universe
Raga:Rageshri
Tala: Teentaal
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: As we mention Shiva, we cannot leave out Shakti. It is within these binaries that energy is created - and the universe begins.As the ultimate duality, Shiva and Shakti represent the positive and negative forces of particles and the atom. From their polarities come vibrations…and from vibrations comes a very familiar story, the start of the universe.
It is said that Shiva’s drums build these vibrations as well, exciting the energy until the particles can take it no more and the universe is formed. And so the solar system is created
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, Sisira Veerapaneni, Lara Venkatraman, Aysha Islam, Diya Mehta, Kavya Dhillon, Sohila Sikand, Mia Kraft, Ariana Parekh, Rewa Verma, Maya Gill, Navya Prasad, Shireen Sikand, Zelia Matthew, Isha Kumbhani, and Kavya Aggarwal.
Tala: Teentaal
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: As we mention Shiva, we cannot leave out Shakti. It is within these binaries that energy is created - and the universe begins.As the ultimate duality, Shiva and Shakti represent the positive and negative forces of particles and the atom. From their polarities come vibrations…and from vibrations comes a very familiar story, the start of the universe.
It is said that Shiva’s drums build these vibrations as well, exciting the energy until the particles can take it no more and the universe is formed. And so the solar system is created
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, Sisira Veerapaneni, Lara Venkatraman, Aysha Islam, Diya Mehta, Kavya Dhillon, Sohila Sikand, Mia Kraft, Ariana Parekh, Rewa Verma, Maya Gill, Navya Prasad, Shireen Sikand, Zelia Matthew, Isha Kumbhani, and Kavya Aggarwal.
4. Name of piece: Panch Vadan
Raga: Multani
Tala: Teentaal
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item:Shiva and Shakti are the energy bearers that create the universe, they split out into the 5 major elements.
You may notice, too, that the common chant “Om Namah Shivaya” is spoken to invoke a primordial response - each syllable of “na - mah - shi - va - yah” represents the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether - and invites calm and peace into one’s mind and allows us connect to the cosmic energy of our world.
Participants names in this item: Sabrina Persaud, Urvashi Pandya, Uma Poduval, Sameera Sikand, Priya Mathew, Diya Sethi, and Annam Hussaini
Tala: Teentaal
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item:Shiva and Shakti are the energy bearers that create the universe, they split out into the 5 major elements.
You may notice, too, that the common chant “Om Namah Shivaya” is spoken to invoke a primordial response - each syllable of “na - mah - shi - va - yah” represents the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether - and invites calm and peace into one’s mind and allows us connect to the cosmic energy of our world.
Participants names in this item: Sabrina Persaud, Urvashi Pandya, Uma Poduval, Sameera Sikand, Priya Mathew, Diya Sethi, and Annam Hussaini
5. Name of piece: Shiva shakti: “Swara kattu”
Raga:
Tala: Kandachapu
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva and Shakti are more than just representations of vibrational energy - they are the forces that make the world go around.
Just as the sun and lotus are connected, so too are Shiva and Shakti - when the sun arises, the lotus blooms. As the sun circles the earth, the moon is always waiting on the other side to rise in perfect balance.
Just as fire and water are exact opposites, but require each other to counter their energies, so too do Shiva and Shakti behave
And as are the binaries of male and female join to create life, this is Shiva and Shakti’s representation of nature
But they are also a fusion of these identities…and when they combine into Ardharnarisvara, their half male, half female form, they transcend into something beyond gender itself, eternal and formless.
Participants names in this item: Zeyna Tai, Aishwarya Ravichandra, Anjali Ravichandra, Ila Chander, Mina Row, Nina Sengupta, Trishna Gupta, and Surta Shah.
Tala: Kandachapu
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva and Shakti are more than just representations of vibrational energy - they are the forces that make the world go around.
Just as the sun and lotus are connected, so too are Shiva and Shakti - when the sun arises, the lotus blooms. As the sun circles the earth, the moon is always waiting on the other side to rise in perfect balance.
Just as fire and water are exact opposites, but require each other to counter their energies, so too do Shiva and Shakti behave
And as are the binaries of male and female join to create life, this is Shiva and Shakti’s representation of nature
But they are also a fusion of these identities…and when they combine into Ardharnarisvara, their half male, half female form, they transcend into something beyond gender itself, eternal and formless.
Participants names in this item: Zeyna Tai, Aishwarya Ravichandra, Anjali Ravichandra, Ila Chander, Mina Row, Nina Sengupta, Trishna Gupta, and Surta Shah.
6. Name of piece: Guru shishya - “Jatiswaram”
Raga: Sarawati
Tala: Rupakam
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva and Shakti further transform into the first guru and shishya: the first teacher and pupil.
It is through them that the entire Guru gita - an ancient sanskrit scripture is written on how the guru can lead the disciple to knowledge within themselves.
There is a regional story about how at some point, Parvathy loses focus and falls asleep mid lesson.
Shiva, as a lesson to show her the importance of focus, turns her into a peacock for a number of years to remind us all to value the knowledge we are given.
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, Maya Gill, Sisira Veerapaneni, Dounya Jester, Miraaya Belani, and Lavina Temby.
Tala: Rupakam
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva and Shakti further transform into the first guru and shishya: the first teacher and pupil.
It is through them that the entire Guru gita - an ancient sanskrit scripture is written on how the guru can lead the disciple to knowledge within themselves.
There is a regional story about how at some point, Parvathy loses focus and falls asleep mid lesson.
Shiva, as a lesson to show her the importance of focus, turns her into a peacock for a number of years to remind us all to value the knowledge we are given.
Participants names in this item: Aadhya Kasarabada, Maya Gill, Sisira Veerapaneni, Dounya Jester, Miraaya Belani, and Lavina Temby.
7. Name of piece: Padavendume
Raga: Hamsanandi
Tala: Rupakam
Composer: M.M. Dandapaani Deshikar
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva is also the master of ultimate joy. He is often found reveling in dance and music, and letting the harmonies of life sway him into transcendence.
The song tells us, as Shiva sings, In the pure silence that understands you, All sorrows will disappear, All sorrows will disappear.
The song conveys a deep yearning for expression through music, highlighting the cathartic and healing power of singing. It suggests that in the quiet moments of understanding and connection, music has the power to alleviate sorrow and bring peace.
Participants names in this item: Vidhir Verma, Janani Bhagat, Suhani Prasad, and Che Mampilly
Tala: Rupakam
Composer: M.M. Dandapaani Deshikar
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva is also the master of ultimate joy. He is often found reveling in dance and music, and letting the harmonies of life sway him into transcendence.
The song tells us, as Shiva sings, In the pure silence that understands you, All sorrows will disappear, All sorrows will disappear.
The song conveys a deep yearning for expression through music, highlighting the cathartic and healing power of singing. It suggests that in the quiet moments of understanding and connection, music has the power to alleviate sorrow and bring peace.
Participants names in this item: Vidhir Verma, Janani Bhagat, Suhani Prasad, and Che Mampilly
8. Name of piece: Gnana Sabayil Thillai
Raga: Saranga
Tala: Misrachapu
Composer: Papanasam Siva
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Just as we sing the praises of shiva for music, he is the one we call upon when we dance.
His form in this is Nataraja, the lord of dance, and he is best known for his raudra tandava - the dance of destruction -t he has 8 other forms of dance, all with a specific purpose, and often, we find ourselves as human beings in love with the ananda tandava - a dance of pure joy and happiness.
Shiva finds himself amongst the sages and is taken by the rhythms of their chanting nature
He dances, bells jingling, the snakes on his form swaying and moving with him.
The crescent moon on his head moves with delight while the river ganga that flows from the moon sprays everyone around them with soft droplets of water.
The deity Narayana is playing the drums for him, while the great bhakta Narada plays the veena, and Shivakami, his consort, dances alongside him.
The joy of the rhythms calm everyone during the ananda tandava.
Participants names in this item: Laila Zubair, Becky Mathew, Lavanya Kannan, Niyati Sriram, Maya Pandurangan, Janani Bhagat, and Suhani Prasad.
Tala: Misrachapu
Composer: Papanasam Siva
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambhamooorthi
Description of item: Just as we sing the praises of shiva for music, he is the one we call upon when we dance.
His form in this is Nataraja, the lord of dance, and he is best known for his raudra tandava - the dance of destruction -t he has 8 other forms of dance, all with a specific purpose, and often, we find ourselves as human beings in love with the ananda tandava - a dance of pure joy and happiness.
Shiva finds himself amongst the sages and is taken by the rhythms of their chanting nature
He dances, bells jingling, the snakes on his form swaying and moving with him.
The crescent moon on his head moves with delight while the river ganga that flows from the moon sprays everyone around them with soft droplets of water.
The deity Narayana is playing the drums for him, while the great bhakta Narada plays the veena, and Shivakami, his consort, dances alongside him.
The joy of the rhythms calm everyone during the ananda tandava.
Participants names in this item: Laila Zubair, Becky Mathew, Lavanya Kannan, Niyati Sriram, Maya Pandurangan, Janani Bhagat, and Suhani Prasad.
9. Name of piece: Varugalamo
Raga: Manji
Tala: Misrachapu
Composer: Gopalakrishna Bharati
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva is also known to often dismiss the rules of common society, and this is never more apparent than with the story of Nandanar. H
Nandanar, a real life human being who has become mythical through the waves of time, is the main character of this song.
He has one wish - the desire to see Shiva at the temple.
The rules of the time dictated someone of Nandanar’s caste and stature would not be allowed into the space - and with each day, weary from the farms from work, he would delight in the idea of singing Shiva’s praises would attempt it anyway, only to be stopped by those around him.
In our interpretation of this, Nandanar is a representation of equity for all - sometimes, the rules of society need introspection, and the deity of Shiva - one who is the original dismisser of the vast and unending rules of a proper society - allows us to peel away some of these injustices.
Participants names in this item: Pooja J Patel, Revathi Jangiti, Sonal Rai, Hema Ganapathi, Jayasri Ganapathy, and Anusha Kukreja.
Tala: Misrachapu
Composer: Gopalakrishna Bharati
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi
Description of item: Shiva is also known to often dismiss the rules of common society, and this is never more apparent than with the story of Nandanar. H
Nandanar, a real life human being who has become mythical through the waves of time, is the main character of this song.
He has one wish - the desire to see Shiva at the temple.
The rules of the time dictated someone of Nandanar’s caste and stature would not be allowed into the space - and with each day, weary from the farms from work, he would delight in the idea of singing Shiva’s praises would attempt it anyway, only to be stopped by those around him.
In our interpretation of this, Nandanar is a representation of equity for all - sometimes, the rules of society need introspection, and the deity of Shiva - one who is the original dismisser of the vast and unending rules of a proper society - allows us to peel away some of these injustices.
Participants names in this item: Pooja J Patel, Revathi Jangiti, Sonal Rai, Hema Ganapathi, Jayasri Ganapathy, and Anusha Kukreja.
10. Name of piece: Trance
Raga:
Tala: Teental
Composer: Shaarang Dev
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: Shiva as the first guru, the standard bearer for equity, the perpetrator of the universe, the holder of joy via the art, is not enough; Shiva is also known as the Adiyogi. A master of yogic traditions - and furthermore, not worshipped as a god, Shiva’s form as adi yogi is to teach us how to attain enlightenment via yogic traditions and meditations. According to yogic lore, Shiva attained enlightenment over 15,000 years ago and lived in the Himalayan region.
Through each composition, we seek to encompass the energy of Shiva in sky and space, using the meditation of movement to push us into a trance
Participants names in this item: Trishla Ostwal, Apurva Chopade, Zeyna Tai, Medha Prasad, and Laila Zubair.
Tala: Teental
Composer: Shaarang Dev
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: Shiva as the first guru, the standard bearer for equity, the perpetrator of the universe, the holder of joy via the art, is not enough; Shiva is also known as the Adiyogi. A master of yogic traditions - and furthermore, not worshipped as a god, Shiva’s form as adi yogi is to teach us how to attain enlightenment via yogic traditions and meditations. According to yogic lore, Shiva attained enlightenment over 15,000 years ago and lived in the Himalayan region.
Through each composition, we seek to encompass the energy of Shiva in sky and space, using the meditation of movement to push us into a trance
Participants names in this item: Trishla Ostwal, Apurva Chopade, Zeyna Tai, Medha Prasad, and Laila Zubair.
11. Name of piece: Shambho Mahadeva
Raga: Panthuvarali
Tala: Rupakam
Composer: N/A
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: Shiva is not always so ethereal and beautiful .
Shiva is also known as veerabhadra, a form in which his wrath knows no bounds. He is often incited to anger that is almost all consuming
We hear of how Cupid is burned to death when he shoots a love arrow at shiva and he is awakedned from his meditation
In the second, his consort Parvathy and he transforms into Veerabhadra yet again and destroys everything on sight.
In the third, a slew of chaos creating warriors are overtaking the 3 worlds and Shiva uses his anger for justice. He controls it until exactly the right moment when he destroys them all in one blow.
But, with this anger, comes consequences as well…
Participants names in this item: Navya Prasad, Rewa Verma, Nina Bhavnani, Priya Mathew, Zelia Matthew, Sulakshana Reddy, Shreya Mahajan Mehta, and Gina Malpe.
Tala: Rupakam
Composer: N/A
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamooorthi, guided by Prashant Shah
Description of item: Shiva is not always so ethereal and beautiful .
Shiva is also known as veerabhadra, a form in which his wrath knows no bounds. He is often incited to anger that is almost all consuming
We hear of how Cupid is burned to death when he shoots a love arrow at shiva and he is awakedned from his meditation
In the second, his consort Parvathy and he transforms into Veerabhadra yet again and destroys everything on sight.
In the third, a slew of chaos creating warriors are overtaking the 3 worlds and Shiva uses his anger for justice. He controls it until exactly the right moment when he destroys them all in one blow.
But, with this anger, comes consequences as well…
Participants names in this item: Navya Prasad, Rewa Verma, Nina Bhavnani, Priya Mathew, Zelia Matthew, Sulakshana Reddy, Shreya Mahajan Mehta, and Gina Malpe.
12. Name of piece: Liberation
Raga: Madhukauns
Tala: Rupak
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamoorthi and Prasant Shah
Description of item: The storms of power arise in Shiva - the ultimate ruler of the universe -
He is the one who is wedded to Parvathy
He is the one who wears a tiger skin
He is the one who wears the snakes as jewelry all over his body -
He is the one who has Ganga flowing from his matted locks
He is the one to whom should we be able to encompass his power, for but a moment, perhaps, we too can achieve liberation and free ourselves from the cycles of time.
Participants names in this item: Dhruti Soni, Shreya Boravke, Smriti Karwa, Janani Bhagat, Suhani Prasad, and Prachi Ghera.
Tala: Rupak
Choreographer: Sahasra Sambamoorthi and Prasant Shah
Description of item: The storms of power arise in Shiva - the ultimate ruler of the universe -
He is the one who is wedded to Parvathy
He is the one who wears a tiger skin
He is the one who wears the snakes as jewelry all over his body -
He is the one who has Ganga flowing from his matted locks
He is the one to whom should we be able to encompass his power, for but a moment, perhaps, we too can achieve liberation and free ourselves from the cycles of time.
Participants names in this item: Dhruti Soni, Shreya Boravke, Smriti Karwa, Janani Bhagat, Suhani Prasad, and Prachi Ghera.
Orchestra Members
Vocalist: Lalit Subramaniam
Violinist: Ananda Nadayogi
Mridangam & Tabla : Ganesh BV
Flutist: Kumar Babu
Production Manager : Mark Clemente
Head of the vocal department: Taniya Panda
Head of the kathak department: Prashant Shah
Co founder and mentor: Sridhar Shanmugan
Teachers: Ankita Khanna, Ruchi Tandon, Prachi Ghera
Costume & Make up: Moneesha Kumar
Lights : Ruchi Tandon
Lights : Ruchi Tandon
Volunteers: Pavan Anand, Shwetha Narayanan, Aditi Jackson, Lavanya Jagirdhar, Navdeep Dillon, Nila Natarajan, Apart Dole, Sindura Chava, Nishita, Vidhula Pan,t Prathibha, Karishma and Monika Shikand
A BIG THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers, parents, and supporters of Navatman's student showcase. Without your help and support, the event would not have been a success. Special thanks to the Gerald W Lynch Theater for providing us with a wonderful space and to Rubina, Larissa, Tim, Mark, and all the house ushers for their invaluable assistance. We also want to express our deepest appreciation to the audience for making the show complete with their presence and enthusiasm. Your support meant the world to our talented students. Thank you all for being a part of this memorable event. Your contributions and dedication are truly appreciated. Here's to more successful endeavors in the future!