PADAM Gajjapooja - Aastha, Anika, Leela, Sonali

Prafulla's Academy of Dance and Music (PADAM) presents The Gajjapooja of Leela Chavali, Aastha Shah, Anika Mehta and Sonali Searles on July 15, 2023 from 3pm to 5pm at Shri Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Warwick RI. 1. Bhajamanasa; This song is a prayer to Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed god, to remove all obstacles for this grand event. Bhajamanasa is composed by Sri Tulasi Vanam and is choreographed by Smt. Prafulla Velury. It is set to Bahudari Ragam, Adi Talam. Performed by Aastha Shah, Anika Mehta, Leela Chavali and Sonali Searles 2. Thillana. A thillana’s sole aim is to portray the beauty of pure dance through jatis, or a series of steps, and the Swara patterns, or musical verses. This type of piece deals with the execution of hastas, or hand gestures, and basic steps in an advanced fast-paced choreography. This thillana is choreographed by Smt. Prafulla Velury. It is set to Faraz Ragam, Adi Talam.Performed by Aastha Shah, Anika Mehta, Leela Chavali and Sonali Searles 3. Himagiri Thanaye; The name literally translates to the daughter of the king of the Himalaya mountains, namely, Goddess Parvathi. The poet describes the mother’s divine beauty and her fury when battling the demon Mahishasura in the form of Durga Devi. Himagiri Thanaye is composed by Sri Atchyuthanna Gopala Sharma and is choreographed by Smt. Prafulla Velury. It is set to Saraswathi Ragam, Adi Talam. Performed by Anika Mehta and Sonali Searles 4. Swaminatha; This song is on Lord Shanmugha, also known as Murughan or Kartikeya. He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, and younger brother to Lord Ganesha. Lord Shanmugha is the husband of Valli and Devasena and commands the army for the Gods. The Skanda Purana mentions Lord Shanmugha teaching the meaning of Om to his father Lord Shiva, and since then his mother also called him by the name Swaminatha. This song is composed by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar and is choreographed by Smt. Prafulla Velury. It is set Naata Ragam, Adi Talam. Performed by Aastha Shah and Leela Chavali 5. Aigiri Nandini, which is a powerful prayer to Goddess Durga. The poet describes Goddess Durga as the daughter of the mountain king, Himavantha, who is dear to Lord Vishnu and worshiped by Nandi and Lord Indra. She is the consort of Lord Shiva and mother of the whole universe. Goddess Durga is depicted with lustrous hair and one who slays the demon King Mahishasura. Composed by HH Adi Shankaracharya, choreographed by Smt. Prafulla Velury and performed by Aastha Shah, Anika Mehta, Leela Chavali and Sonali Searles