The Time and Cycle

Track 1: The Churning of the Ocean and Shiva as Neelkanth
The story begins when Sage Durvasa offers Indra a sacred garland as a blessing. Indra places it on his elephant, Airavata, who throws it down and crushes it. Angered by this disregard for a divine gift, the sage curses Indra and the devas, causing them to lose their strength and radiance.
Weakened by the curse, the devas seek a way to restore balance. They join the asuras in churning the cosmic ocean, using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope, in search of amrita, the nectar of immortality. But before the nectar can emerge, the deadly poison halahala rises from the ocean, threatening all creation. To save the worlds, Shiva drinks the poison and holds it in his throat, becoming Neelkanth, the blue-throated one.
This story reflects sacrifice: the strength to hold what is difficult so that life can continue.
Raga: Srothaswini 

Tala: Adi 

Composer: Madurai R. Muralidharan

Track 2: Washington Story — Salmon, Cedar, and River Memory
In the Pacific Northwest, life moves through cycles of return and endurance. Salmon journey from river to ocean and return to their native waters. Cedar withstands rain, wind, and winter. Rivers remember their paths through changing landscapes.
This interlude reflects the same idea of continuity: life survives through return, resilience, and relationship with the natural world.

Track 1: Evarunnaru Brova
Rama Seeks Shiva’s Grace
Before the battle in Lanka, Rama stands at the seashore, carrying the weight of responsibility, longing for Sita, and concern for those who depend on him. In humility, he turns to Shiva for courage, clarity, and steadiness of mind.
Through the question, “Who else is there to protect me?”, the piece expresses the human need for grace during moments of uncertainty and duty.
Raga: Malavasri
Tala: Adi
Composer: Saint Tyagaraja

Track 2: Washington Story — Every Crossing Leaves a Trace
This interlude reflects on movement across water and land: canoes, ships, trails, roads, and railways. Such crossings have carried people, stories, trade, hope, and new possibilities. They have also brought conflict, displacement, and changes that remain in the memory of the land and its people..

Every crossing leaves a trace. Our actions shape the paths that others inherit.

Track 1: Kirata Arjuna
Arjuna performs deep penance to seek strength before a great battle. Shiva appears before him in the form of a hunter, and the two enter a fierce contest. Arjuna struggles, exhausts his strength, and finally recognizes that the hunter is Shiva himself.
Pleased by Arjuna’s courage, discipline, and humility, Shiva reveals his divine form and grants him the Pashupata weapon. The story reminds us that true strength is shaped through testing, surrender, and self-awareness.
Track 2: Washington Story — After Ash, Green
Mount St. Helens erupts. Ash rises, the landscape falls silent, and what once seemed familiar is transformed. Yet in time, life returns: small growth appears, green emerges, and the land begins again.
Like Arjuna’s test, this story speaks of challenge and renewal. What is broken is not always the end of the story.

Track 1: Ananda Natam Idum Padan
Shiva’s Joyful Dance
Kali Yuga is an age of rapid change, distraction, confusion, and inner unrest. A seeker attempts to find stillness, but thoughts, worries, noise, and uncertainty pull the mind in many directions.
The turning point comes through surrender. One sincere prayer, one steady rhythm, and one inward moment become a path back to peace. Shiva’s dance reminds us that grace is not far away—it is present within.
Raga: Kedaragowla

Tala: Adi

Composer: Papanasam Sivan

Track 2: Washington Story — Life in a Fast-Moving City

This interlude reflects on modern urban life: people rushing in different directions, screens competing for attention, and the challenge of staying connected—to one another, to truth, and to nature.

Amid movement and noise, the performance asks: How do we return to stillness? How do we make space for attention, compassion, and balance?

Tham Tham Thakajonu Tham

Raga: Gambeera Naatai 

Tala: Adi Talam

Composer: Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan

Concept & Choreography – Manaswini Sridhar 

Dancers : Manaswini Sridhar, Noopura Radhakrishnan, Mehal Kashyap

Story Teller – Smt. Kavya Sivaramakrishnan

Violin – Smt. Nandini Viswanathan

Mridangam – Myan Sudarshan