Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Makara Sankranthi wishes to all!

Just like that, Rise of Margazhi 2024–‘25 comes to a magnificent wrap!

Our heartfelt pranams to all the rasikas and Margazhi-ites who journeyed alongside us these past few weeks.

It is by the boundless grace of our Guru Maharaj and your unwavering enthusiasm that the SoMU family offers this humble Kalā Sevā as part of this culturally and spiritually enriching initiative.

All glory to our Guru Maharaj, HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, the supreme visionary and driving force behind Rise of Margazhi!

The Grand Finale Highlights:
Rise of Margazhi 2024-‘25 – In a Capsule
Excerpts from the magnum opus, Govardhana Leela presented by Prabhath Academy of Dance – based on the divine Leela from Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana.

YouTube Link: Grand Finale – Rise of Margazhi 2024–‘25

Until Season 6…
Jaya Mangalam, Nithya Shubha Mangalam!

Radhe Radhe!

—

In one of His Madhurageethams, Śrī Śrī Swamiji sings:

“Kadhai keLu Kadhai keLu
Sadā Hari kadhayai nī keLu
Bhakti viraktiyuDan kadhai solbavariDam
Shraddhā bhaktiyuDan kadhai keLu”

To attain the supreme fruit of ‘Ashtanga Yoga,’ to overcome your travails, and to have your wishes fulfilled—O! Ye! Listen to His stories! O! Ye! Listen always to Lord Hari’s stories, from one who is both dispassionate and devoted! Listen with faith and devotion!

What greater culmination could there be for Mārgazhi than to celebrate the celestial union of Śrī Āṇḍāl with Her beloved Śrī Ranganātha through Katha Shravanam! In this upanyāsam on Āṇḍāl Kalyāṇam (from the archives), Guru Maharaj, HH Maharanyam Śrī Śrī Muralidhara Swamiji, eloquently narrates the journey of Śrī Āṇḍāl’s unwavering bhakti, beautifully intertwined with the timeless wisdom of the Thiruppāvai. This divine discourse leads listeners to the ultimate realization of surrender and the boundless grace of the Supreme.

Come, let us immerse ourselves in the joy of Katha and bask in the sacred essence of Mārgazhi!

YouTube Link: Sri Swamiji’s Lecture – Andal Kalyanam

—-

This divine composition by HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, glorifying the sacred 16-word Mahamantra, is the ultimate offering from Rise of Margazhi – embodying the very essence and purpose of this sacred initiative.

The Mahamantra Anthem is presented in 10 languages, with each language brought to life by an accomplished artist representing their regional heritage.

Sudha Ragunathan (Thamizh)
Rahul Deshpande (Marathi)
Sriranjani Santhanagopalan (Telugu)
Aanandi Joshi (Gujarati)
Sandeep Narayan (Kannada)
Trichur Brothers (Malayalam)
Sambuddha Chatterjee (Bengali)
Menuka Poudel (Hindi)
Anjana Rajagopalan (English)
Rajkumar Bharathi & Savitha Sai (Sanskrit)

Do enjoy this masterful offering and sing along in joy, so that Bhagavan Nama, the Divine Name may reverberate in every nook and corner of the world!

YouTube Link: World Premiere – Mahamantra Anthem

With the divine blessings of our Guru Maharaj, the Mahamantra Anthem will premiere on 12th January 2025 at 6:30 AM IST | 7:00 PM CST (tomorrow, 11th January 2025) on the Spirit of Margazhi YouTube channel.

Watch the premiere here: https://youtube.com/@riseofmargazhi

This divine composition by HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, glorifying the sacred 16-word Mahamantra, is the ultimate offering from Spirit of Margazhi—embodying the very essence and purpose of this sacred initiative. The anthem is presented in 10 distinct languages, with each language brought to life by an accomplished artist representing their regional heritage. This harmonious blend truly reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Bhārat, uniting hearts through devotion.

We warmly invite you to join us, along with your family, friends, and Satsang devotees, to experience this masterful offering. Let us come together as the “signature kirtan” of our Guru Maharaj travels across the globe, resonating in every heart and home!

Radhe Radhe!

Day 26: Navarasa Natyam : Veera Simha by Kavya Muralidaran and the VivRiti Dance Company Ensemble

The Madhurageetham of His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji featured in this production, sthambhE drishyathE shrInarasimhO glorifies Lord Narasimha, the wondrous and awe-inspiring manifestation of Lord Mahavishnu.

Fierce and terrifying toward evil, yet compassionate to the faithful, He embodies divine justice by slaying Hiranyakashipu and delights in the devotion of little Prahlada.The Namavali featured in this production is composed by Sri Ammalu Ammal, a devout Bhakta of Sri Narasimha. She declares that no one but Sri Narasimha can hold her hand, bring peace to her heart, or fulfill her soul’s yearning, and pleads for Him to reveal Himself in all His splendor.

YouTube Link: Day 26: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 25: Sapta Swarayutham: Hanumanai Kandeera: The Ocean of Boundless Devotion ft. Trichur Brothers along with Divya Ravi (Bharatanatyam) and Kalamandalam Ajeesh (Kathakali). As the nation celebrates the anniversary of Ram Lalla’s temple in Ayodhya, Spirit of Margazhi humbly offers this tribute to Sri Hanuman. Where Sri Ram resides, can Hanuman ji be far behind?

Hanumanai Kandeera
In this Madhurageetham, Sri Swamiji glorifies Hanuman, highlighting His divine qualities and key incidents that reveal His greatness.

Hanuman embodies Bhakti (devotion), Shakti (strength), Siddhi (spiritual power), Buddhi (intelligence), noble character, and unparalleled skills. As Sri Rama’s chosen envoy, Hanuman reassured Sita Devi and confronted Ravana in Lanka, demonstrating his unmatched abilities and the power of the Ashta Siddhis. He also first proclaimed “Sri Ramajayam,” a chant invoked in all auspicious and testing times.

The phrase ‘Hanumanai Kandeera’—“O see our Hanuman!”—reminds us of the importance of invoking Him. In the Srimad Ramayana, Hanuman’s presence ensures success in the pursuit of Dharma. Let us pray to Hanuman, the divine force who makes the impossible possible and guides us across the Samsara Saagara with ease and grace!

YouTube Link: Day 25: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 24: Navarasa Natyam: Nava Jeevanam Vitthala featuring Pavitra Krishna Bhat.

Theerth Vitthal, Kshetra Vitthal – He is the means and the end!
Vitthobha chala mandira – Let us go to have Darshan of Vithobha in Pandharpur temple!
Abheera Gulaal – How Panduranga dances amidst colours in his abode!

Numerous saints have shared their experiences of Vitthala with us in the form of Abhangs and Kirthans. ‘Abhang’ means unbroken and ‘Kirthan’ means repeating. Vitthala or Panduranga is one who delights in unending songs sung to Him.

On the banks of Chandrabhaga river, is the town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Here is the abode of Vishnu, known as Vitthala or Panduranga or Vithobha. In Varkari Sampradaya, pilgrims sing devotional songs as a community. They undertake annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur to gather on Ashadha Ekadashi singing Abhangs enroute.

Here is an offering by Spirit of Margazhi, celebrating the glory of Vitthala through Madhurageethams and Abhangs, rendered in line with the Varkari tradition. It is said that once we experience Vitthala, we witness a transformation within. May we all sing together and share this bliss!

YouTube Link: Day 24: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 23: Ashtapadyāmrutham: Ashtapadi #23 Kshana Maduna in Dwijavanti featuring P. Praveen Kumar.

Sri Jayadeva, in this Ashtapadi, describes Sri Krishna’s love towards Radha likened to his Krupa towards a devotee. He is ‘Bhakta Vatsalya Jaladhi’ – one who is the ocean of love for his devotees.

While the previous Ashtapadhis reflected Sri Radha’s love and surrender to Krishna, these verses explain Sri Krishna’s love for her, the Lord’s love for his devotee. The poet conveys through Shringara Bhakti how Krishna expresses his love and yearning to unite with Radha. Krishna compares Sri Radha’s beautiful face to the moon and her words to the nectar from the moon. He says, ‘Let me pacify your yearning for me by removing your hesitation and accepting your pure love’. Radha Rani’s anklets, waist bells, and the sounds of the cuckoo birds add beautiful imagery to the surroundings. Sri Krishna wonders if she is angry with Him and encourages her to be cheerful.

Sri Jayadeva describes Krishna’s delightful nature in this Ashtapadi and wishes that we devotees enjoy the sweetness of divine love, that is Prema Bhakti!

YouTube Link: Day 23: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 22: Sapta Swarayutham: Agaccha Agaccha in Bhimplas featuring Shankar Mahadevan Academy.

Spirit of Margazhi brings Sri Swamiji’s divine composition on the Glory of Satsanga in one’s life.

Celebrating the core spirit of Margazhi (collective pursuit of approaching the Divine), these young Bhagavathas sing a hymn on Satsangati.

This Madhurageetham compares and contrasts the impact of good company vs. bad company on our spiritual journey. A complex thought process made simple enough to understand and follow.

Performed by rising stars of Shankar Mahadevan Academy, this joyous anthem will give us a dose of knowledge (gyana) and devotion (bhakti)!

YouTube Link: Day 22: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 21: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #22 Radha Vadana in Madhyamavathi featuring Subashri Sasidharan.

This Ashtapadi is an ode to Radha Devi’s divine beauty, with Sri Krishna expressing His admiration through vivid metaphors and similes.

Her eyes are compared to graceful lotus petals, filled with compassion and love. Her lips are likened to the red hue of bimba fruits, as if they hold the sweetness of nectar. Her complexion shines like molten gold, casting an ethereal glow. Krishna notices her delicate smile, enchanting like the crescent moon, and her dark, flowing hair, which resembles clouds in the night sky, framing her radiant visage.

This Ashtapadi represents the union of Bhakti and Shringara rasa , illustrating the eternal bond between the soul (Radha Devi ) and the Divine (Sri Krishna). It is a celebration of divine beauty, transcending the material and resonating with spiritual significance, where every detail of Radha’s visage becomes a metaphor for her purity, devotion, and eternal connection with Krishna. Radhe! Radhe!

YouTube Link: Day 21: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 20: Paarambarya Pokkisham : Bhajana Bhakti featuring Vinay Varanasi, Kruthi Bhat and Vittal Rangan.

In the curtain raiser, Vinay Ji had indicated a connecting thread between Sri Andal in the South of India and Sant Mira Bai in the North. What is it? Come, let’s find out. Replete with Abhangs, stories and glory of Namasankirtanam, this episode ascertains why Namasankeerthanam, or Bhajana is the true antidote in Kaliyuga!

Presenting the final part of our uniquely curated docu-film, Bhajana Bhakti – an offering combining the very best of Harikatha and Nama Sankeerthanam in an immersive experience that is sure to draw the whole community right into the true sprit of Margazhi, which is the communal celebration of the divine!

YouTube Link: Day 20: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 19: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #13 Kathita Samayepi in Ahiri & Neelambari featuring Pavithra Kannan.

In this Ashtapadi, Sri Radha laments for her delay in meeting Sri Krishna and confides in her Sakhi, her emotional state. ”Oh, Sakhi! Krishna has not come to Brindavana as promised. What is the use of my beauty and youth? I feel deceived by what others told me.”

Tired of searching for Sri Krishna in the forest at night, Radha Devi pities herself for being separated from Sri Krishna. She says her ornaments and the lovely night of spring are wasted without Sri Krishna. Sri Radha feels the flower garlands decorating her seem to give pain in her heart like that caused by Cupid’s arrows.

Sri Krishna seems to be unmindful of her plight. Radha Rani wonders if another Gopi is spending her time with Krishna as a result of the good deeds from her previous birth. Sri Jayadeva submits this song at the feet of Srihari, and may these sweet words remain in the hearts of devotees like a damsel adept in fine arts.

YouTube Link: Day 19: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 18: Sapta Swarayutham : Rajadhi Raja – Madhurageetham in Maandu by HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji featuring Sai Vignesh and Abhilash Venkitachalam.

Here is a Madhurageetham in a vibrant and energetic gati, welcoming Bhagavan Sri Krishna and preparing everyone for His glorious arrival!  Just as a king’s arrival is heralded with “Rajadhi Raja…,” Sri Swamiji addresses Sri Krishna, beautifully describing His divine qualities.

His feet are the refuge for devotees, His face is enchanting, and His golden crown with dangling earrings captivates us all. He is the one who descended to Earth to offer solace to humanity. With hands on His hips and the majestic gait of an elephant, Oh, Bhajana Priya (the One who delights in being sung to), please come swiftly to protect us!

Set in the vibrant Maandu raga, this melody perfectly evokes the joy of welcoming Krishna!

YouTube Link: Day 18: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 17: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #12 Pashyati Dishi Dishi in Sankarabharanam featuring Haripriya Pranesh.

This Ashtapadi describes Radha Devi in a state of viraha or anguish and longing as she yearns for Sri Krishna, who has left her.

She sends her friend (sakhi) to search for Lord Krishna, vividly expressing her restless love and desire to reunite with her beloved.

Overwhelmed by love, she imagines Sri Krishna’s divine presence so vividly that she begins to see herself as Him. She envisions herself adorned with peacock feathers, pitambara, and holding the flute, fully embodying His form.

In a broader spiritual sense, this visualization symbolizes the soul’s ultimate realization that it is not separate from the Divine, echoing the Advaitic principle that the jivatma and the paramatma are one and the same. It is a moment of transcendence where love dissolves all duality, revealing the inherent unity of existence.

YouTube Link: Day 17: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 16: Navarasa Natyam : Smara Re Vrindavanam – featuring Madhurageethams in Nalinakanthi and Kalyani by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji. Performed by Divya Nayar and the Dakshina Repertory

The first featured Madhurageetham in this production, En Nilai Solliduven is a heartfelt prayer to Krishna where Sri Swamiji expresses the most earnest desires of His heart, pure devotion and longing for divine connection.

Expressing detachment towards worldly attractions, mundane sights, sounds, and pleasures, He yearns for the bliss of Brindavan, the joy of seeing Sri Krishna, hearing His divine words and songs, partaking in offerings blessed by Him, dedicating every effort in His service, and immersing in the sacred teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam and the Gita.

The second featured Madhurageetham, Jayathi Jayathi RasabhAvam, declares victory to Rāsa Leela, singing the glory of the holy land of Brindavan, where this most splendid leela took place.

YouTube Link: Day 16: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 15: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #11 Rathi Sukha Sārē in Kedaragowlai featuring Janani Hamsini Narasimhan.

In the Ashtapadi “Rathi Sukha Sare”, Sri Jayadeva beautifully portrays the sacred union of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna, where Sri Radha surrenders herself completely, and Sri Krishna envelops her in divine love. This moment of intimacy transcends the physical, symbolizing the soul’s ultimate merging with the infinite.

Sri Radha’s longing and devotion are met with Sri Krishna’s boundless grace, and their union becomes an ecstatic communion where all boundaries dissolve. It reflects the soul’s journey toward liberation, where surrender leads to oneness with the divine. Jayadeva Kavi uses this sacred moment as a metaphor for the joy and fulfillment found in complete devotion and divine love.

YouTube Link: Day 15: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 14: Sapta Swarayutham : Kann Pattadhu – Madhurageetham in Kalyani by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji featuring Sikkil Gurucharan, Anil Srinivasan and Sumesh Narayanan.

This wonderful Madhurageetham, written as a ninda stuti , talks about Sri Swamiji apparently condemning Bhagavan for spoiling his worldly life – a life caught in the shackles of bondage and desires. Therefore, in essence this is actually the greatest praise on Bhagavan for shielding him from the humdrum of this material existence and embracing him in divinity.

Another very sweet embellishment in this Madhurageetham is in the very first line. The word, ‘KaN paTTadhu’ is used as ‘slesham’, a literary term laden with double entendre. As a normal translation, it holds a negative connotation of drishti. But here, ‘kaN paDudhal’ also refers to ‘krupA kaTAksham’, the eyes that shower the grace of compassion on the devotee.

Both these connotations are very beautifully interlaced in this Madhurageetham, and Sri Swamiji concludes that once Bhagavan’s glance is cast on a devotee, his worldly life will become plain dust, yet he shall be transformed into gold!

YouTube Link: Day 14: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 13: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #8- Nindati Chandanam in Darbari Kanada featuring Smrithi Vishwanath

The Ashtapadi Nindati Chandanam from Sri Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam beautifully encapsulates the profound emotions of love, separation (viraha), and longing that define the divine relationship between Sri Radha and Sri Krishna. In this poignant composition, the Sakhi serves as the messenger, conveying Sri Radha Devi’s deep yearning and heartfelt desire to reunite with Sri Krishna.

Sri Radha Rani, overcome by feelings of longing and gentle jealousy, expresses her heartache over Sri Krishna’s seeming indifference. Here, Sri Radhe finds that even joys like the soothing coolness of sandalwood (chandanam) deepen her pain in separation. What should bring solace only magnifies her inner turmoil, as her heart yearns for Her Lord. The poem beautifully portrays her emotional struggle, the tender ache of love, and her deep yearning for Krishna’s presence and affection.

YouTube Link: Day 13: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 12: Navarasa Natyam: Kutti Meera featuring Rukmini Vijayakumar and Ambi Subramaniam.

Sant Meerabai, the Bhakti Saint of the 16th century, played a pivotal role in the Bhakti Movement in Northern India. As a young girl, Little Meera once saw a wedding procession and innocently asked her mother, “Who will be my bridegroom?” Her mother lovingly replied, “Lord Krishna.” This moment seems to have laid the foundation for Meera’s unwavering love and devotion to Bhagavan. Each day, she would immerse herself in Prema Bhakti – profound, loving devotion to the Lord—singing bhajans in His praise. Despite being married to King Rana, she remained steadfast in her yearning to unite with Krishna, living true to the essence of her song: “Mere To Giridhar Gopal, Dusro Na Koyi,” which translates to, “My Lord is Giridhar Gopal; none else do I seek.”

HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, in His Madhurageetham, draws a parallel between Meera and Champakalata, one of the eight Gopis in Vrindavan. Like Meera, Champakalata served the Lord with a chamara (fan), adorned Him with jewels, and sang and danced in divine ecstasy.

Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Rukmini Vijayakumar seamlessly weaves these enchanting details into her storytelling. Meera’s childhood was a saga of devotion, spent playing with the mischievous Krishna, singing and dancing to the jingling of her anklets, strumming her tanpura, and spreading the essence of Bhakti. Meanwhile, Ambi Subramaniam, the “New King of Indian Classical Violin,” captures the emotions of Meera through his soulful strings in the evocative Kapi raga.

YouTube Link:Day 12: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 11: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #7- Māmiyam Chalithā in Bowli featuring Eeshwar Aiyer.

In this Ashtapadi, the focus shifts to Sri Krishna’s emotional state as He realizes that the Prema Bhakti of Radha Devi was the very essence of the highest devotion. He fears that Radha Devi has left Him in a fit of anger over His perceived affection for the other Gopis, laments about Her absence and goes searching for Her. Overcome by love for Radha Devi, He humbly seeks Her forgiveness and vows that He will never offend Her again.

YouTube Link:Day 11: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 10: Paarambarya Pokkisham : Bhajana Bhakti featuring Vinay Varanasi, Kruthi Bhat and Vittal Rangan

The word BHAKTI signifies a profound connection between the individual and the divine. Sounds like a lofty aspiration in this day and age? Thankfully for us, our great Gurus have illuminated a simple path to set us upon this rewarding spiritual journey! Namasankeerthanam , or Bhajana – the true antidote in Kaliyuga!

Presenting the second part of our uniquely curated docu-film, Bhajana Bhakti – an offering combining the very best of Harikatha and Nama Sankeerthanam in an immersive experience that is sure to draw the whole community right into the true sprit of Margazhi, which is the communal celebration of the divine!

YouTube Link:Day 10: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 9: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #6 – Nibrutha Nikunja in Kambhoji featuring Ragasudha Balasubramanian.

In this Ashtapadi, Sri Radha Devi tells her friend (Sakhi) about her first union with Sri Krishna. She reminisces the wonderful memory that she would like to relive and recreate forever!

Sri Radha recounts how she met Sri Krishna in a bower and was captivated by His charm. She was too shy to make a conversation, while Krishna spoke to her in the sweetest of words, pulled on her tresses (kesh) and held her hand filling her heart with bliss and she surrendered to His love.

Even though Sri Radha is aware that He is now playing with other Gopis, she is not able to bear anger towards Him. She torn due to her pangs of separation from Sri Krishna, and urges her friend to send her message to Him and make another meeting possible.

The poem’s meaning is symbolic of the human soul’s journey away from its true allegiance to God and its eventual return. By listening to this poem, devotees also feel the same yearning for the Divine and are blessed with Prema Bhakti.

YouTube Link:Day 9: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 8:  Sapta Swarayutham : Pādu Pādu Pādu Endru – Madhurageetham in Shanmukhapriya by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
featuring Embar Kannan and Rangappriya.

This Madhurageetham celebrates Krishna Leela – how His mischiefs capture our attention and how He grants the boons we ask for. Sri Swamiji asks us to seek Him just once with a pure heart, to know how benevolent He is!

It is set in Shanmukhapriya – a raga that brings the devotee and the Divine closer by evoking rasas of Veera, Shringara, Karuna, Adhbutha, Hasya and of course Bhakti!

YouTube Link:Day 8: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 7: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi #4- Chandana Charchita in Ragam Pantuvarali featuring Nivedha Harish

The Ashtapadi “Chandana Charchita”, composed by the saint-poet Sri Jayadeva in the Gita Govinda, vividly portrays the joyful and divine playfulness of Lord Krishna with the gopis (cowherd maidens) in the idyllic setting of Vrindavan. This verse is a celebration of Krishna’s enchanting beauty, charm, and his playful interactions with the gopis, symbolizing the soul’s yearning for divine love and union.

The Ashtapadi describes Krishna adorned with sandalwood paste (chandana), fragrant garlands, and surrounded by nature’s splendor as he engages in playful pastimes. Each stanza highlights Krishna’s allure and the gopis’ deep love for him, emphasizing their joyous yet spiritually elevating connection.

On a deeper level, the song represents the union of the individual soul (the gopis) with the Supreme (Krishna), illustrating the intense devotion, surrender, and longing that characterize the spiritual journey. It captures the essence of divine love and the ecstasy of being in Krishna’s presence.

YouTube Link: Day 7: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

GOVARDHANA LEELA: Premium offering from Spirit of Margazhi is NOW STREAMING on Tikkl!

Govardhana Leela – a mesmerizing magnum opus dance production commissioned by Spirit of Margazhi, presented by Prabhath Academy of Dance – brings to life the divine Madhurageetham by HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji. This spectacular masterpiece is interwoven with shlokas and verses from Srimad Bhagavatam, offering a visual and spiritual feast like no other!

Things to Note:
– It’s streamed online. So, enjoy watching it on a big screen (at 4K/high resolution) at home with your family.
– The production will run from 21st December to 1st January.
– Once you start playing the video, you’ll have a 6-hour window to finish watching it. During this time, you can play/pause and rewatch. After 6 hours from the first play minute, the link expires. The production run time is 35 minutes.

You will receive the link to watch the video in your email (check your inbox/spam) from Tikkl. Look for the “Join Event” button to start. The video can be watched on a single device at a time.

Celebrate this production with your family!

If you are in India, you can book your tickets here: [https://tikkl.com/prabhath_academy_of_dance/c/2024-12].
For viewers outside India, tickets can be booked here: [https://tikkl.com/prabhath_academy_of_dance/c/govardhana-global/].

If you’ve already booked your tickets, we sincerely thank you for your love and support.

Day 6: Sapta Swarayutham : Yugala Narthanam – Madhurageetham in Darbari Kanada by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
ft. Sandeep Narayan and Rajhesh Vaidhya.

This composition is an outpouring of Swamiji’s rasanubhava, as He mentally pictures the Yugala Narthanam, the celestial dance of Sri Krishna and Sri Radha Devi in unison.

Under the moonlit skies of spring, by the serene Yamuna riverside, Madhava, radiant as an emerald, joins Radha amidst the Ashta Sakhis, embodying divine harmony. The wondrous scene is further elevated by the meditative hymns of Narada and the resounding echoes of heavenly drums, as the earth blooms in rapture, basking in this symphony of devotion and celebration.

Overcome by the expression of love and joy, Swamiji succinctly summarizes the scene in four apt, peerless words – amOgham, athishayam, adbutham, Anandam – superlative, magical, wondrous and blissful!

YouTube Link: Day 6: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 5: Ashtapadyāmrutham : Ashtapadi 2 – Shrita kamalā kucha-mandala in Ragam Bhairavi featuring Eeshwar Aiyer.

In the second Ashtapadi, Sri Jayadeva beautifully describes Sri Krishna’s appearance, virtues, deeds and glory. ‘Shrita kamalā kucha-mandala’ literally refers to Krishna taking shelter in the lotus-like bosom of Rādha, figuratively meaning He lives in Her heart, which is filled with unconditional love and surrender towards Him.

Sri Jayadeva extols Lord Hari as the One who destroys rebirth, dwells in the hearts of sages, defeated the poisonous Kaliya, Madhu, Mura, Narakasura; He who entertains the Devas, sits on the Garuda and is the lotus of the Yadu clan; the One who lifted the Mandhara mountain and takes care of all beings.

He describes Hari as the One with lotus-like eyes, beautiful as the rich new clouds, Whose face is likened to the moon loved by the Chakōra birds. One couplet refers to Rāma, His unwavering love for Sita and His victory over the ten-headed Ravana.

YouTube Link: Day 5: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 4: Navarasa Natyam : Hanta Bhāgyam Janānām featuring Meera Sreenarayanan.

“Hanta Bhāgyam Janānām!” – exclaims Sri Narayana Bhattathri, in his opening verse of Sriman Narayaneeyam, conveying the good fortune of those who manage to have even a glimpse of Sri Guruvayurappan! Indeed, the boundless grace of Guruvayurappan uplifts devotees, fulfilling their deepest desires and enveloping them in bliss, sāndra-ānanda!

The Madhurageetham featured in this production, kaNNappanE guruvAyUrappanAnAn, is an expression of the adoration Guruji HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji holds for His beloved Guruvayurappan. He admires Guruvayurappan’s regal stroll on elephant-back, adorned with Tulsi, lotus and sandalwood and expresses His eagerness to repeatedly listen to the stories from Srimad Bhagavatam.

YouTube Link: Day 4: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 3: The Ashtapadis, a set of 24 hymns composed by the poet-saint Sri Jayadeva, depict the separation, longing and blissful union between Radha Devi and Sri Krishna, symbolizing the soul’s yearning for union with the divine.

The first Ashtapadi, Pralaya Payodhi Jale is an invocation of Lord Mahavishnu in His various divine avatars, the Dasa Avatara. The hymn starts with His role as the preserver where He rescues the Vedas as Matsya, the fish incarnation during the pralaya, the cosmic deluge. Each subsequent stanza then goes on to glorify His other incarnations, emphasizing His role as the protector of the universe, the remover of obstacles, and the embodiment of love and beauty. It is a poetic and devotional prelude that sets the tone for the rest of the work.

YouTube Link: Day 3: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 2: Sapta Swarayutham : Oru Nodi Nin Tiruvadi – Madhurageetham in Lathangi by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji featuring Spoorthi Rao and a slew of artists extraordinaire. In this Madhurageetham, Sri Swamiji extolls the Lord of the Seven Hills, Tirupati Venkateshwara – the boon giver who everyone flocks to, despite the serpentine queues, just to have a glimpse of His benevolent appearance, which itself must be the boon we receive by having accrued punyam over one crore births!

Sri Swamiji recollects how Bhagavan granted Sharanagathi to His bhaktas and longs for Bhagavan to keep him in the shadow of His Divine feet to have eternal Satsanga, as a means to surrender to Him through love!

YouTube Link: Day 2: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024

Day 1: Curtain Raiser Madhura Margazhi featuring Vinay Varanasi, Kruthi Bhat and Vittal Rangan.

A pod of katha, a drizzle of Namasankirtanam and a whole load of Margazhi bliss – isn’t that the perfect way to start off this beautiful month? Our artists of the day take our community along on a spiritual odyssey to explore Bhajana Bhakti – the simplest way for all us to express our adoration and pure love for the Divine, shown to us by the greatest Bhaktas through time!

YouTube Link: Day 1: Spirit of Margazhi Utsav 2024