Margam is all about Bharathanatyam performance&a path or the framework formatted by Tanjai Nalvar,19th C have endured by time.
•The common compositions in the order are
1.Alarippu
2.Jathiswaram
3.Sabdam
4.Padavarnam
5.Padam
6.Javali
7.Thillana
After the systematic learning of the techniques of Bharathanatyam,students will learn compositions for the bharathanatyam performance.Then according to the learned compositions,the dancer will prepare for their rangapravesham.For the rangapravesham, with the help of the guru student can form a list of compositions for the presentation.So here the margam stands as a sample of playlist for the whole show.Than the Alarippu,we have Pushpanjali,Mallari,Thodayamangalam from different styles of bharathanatyam as invocatory compositions.Likewise we can see jathiswarams,sabdam,padavarnam,padam,javali,Thillana in different raga&tala of various composers in the carnatic music field.So the matured bharathanatyam student can learn and perform any composition and add to their presentation list.There is no rule that to follow the margam formatted by Tanjai Nalvar.The dancers have to understand how to apply the compositions they learned in a balanced manner.It is depending on the dancer’s capability,kind of stage,spectators,occasion of the program,duration and technical side of the performance.Margam is always open to experimentation and innovation.Margam could not be outdated,Because Margam stands as a building block to make a bharathanatyam student to understand how he/she can make use of the learning outcomes to their creativity and productivity in the bharathanatyam field.
-ARDRALAKSHMI,CO-FOUNDER OF LAKSHMISISTERS’ VNG