PROGRAM

Let us pledge on this Navaratri

that no Durga is aborted, no Saraswati is stopped from going to school, no Laxmi has to beg for money from a husband, no Parvati is sacrificed for the dowry, and no Kali is given a tube of fairness cream.
- By Geeta Shivhare

We serenade the arrival of Devi with traditional melodies and words of praise...

In Praise of DEVI

Carnatic vocals

presented by

Sahana Mahadevan, Sharada Radhakrishna, Syona Radhakrishna, Agastya Ramesh, young students of Carnatic vocalist Roopa Mahadevan.

Pahi Pahi Gajaananam in Raga Sindhubhairavi

Anandamrithakarshini in Raga Amrithavarshini, composed by Muthuswami Dikshithar

Bhavani Sankara in Raga Thillang

Arranged by: Roopa Mahadevan

Accompanied by: Pranav Ramkrishnan

Devi is not confined to an idol, she manifests as the all-pervasive Mother Earth…

GANGA

Ganga Stotram, Kathak

presented by

Ruchi Tandon

This piece pays ode to Devi Ganga, the goddess of purification. Originating from the feet of Vishnu, her gushing white waves are as beautiful as frost, the full moon, or a white pearl.

Carving her way through the Himalayas, she uplifts those in need.

She is the love and strength in every mother and mother figure… 

YASHODA’S CALL

Bharata Natyam

presented by

Srinidhi Raghavan

Mother Yashoda beckons baby Krishna to come to her and show his beautiful face. Each line describes the baby’s stunning ornaments as an expression of utmost love and devotion.

This piece is an offering to the divine mother in all of us, who at once adores and worships her child.

Ragam: Yamunakalyani

Vocals: Rahul Vellal

She even walks among us as every women finding her voice and place in this modern world…

SHE IS ONE OF US

Odissi

presented by

Malavika Singh and Sri Thina Subramaniam

Mythical stories often depict an idealized, unrealistic version of romantic love where women are considered incomplete until they unite with the beloved. Here, the dancers reimagine a story that celebrates wholeness and self-completeness.

With awe and gratitude, we celebrate the wisdom and art of the dynamic divine feminine…

WISDOM AND ART

Saraswathi Kauthuvam, Bharata Natyam

presented by

Sneha Subramaniam, Anjali Lai, Joshika Thalur, Swarna Kannan, Shreya Ramesh, Varshini Krishnaswamy

This piece invokes Saraswathi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and arts, who gracefully rides her swan and leads us to enlightenment. We end the night singing her praises.

Ragam: Vagadeeshwari | Talam: Adi

Arranged by: Sri Thina Subramaniam

ARTIST BIOS