The classical dance traditions of India, have always drawn their insight and inspiration from the very rich and varied musical heritage that has been bequeathed to us. These musical gems span generations and genres, and continue to inform and enrich the aural and visual firmament of dance

The brilliant imagery, music and poetry of the many Vaggeyakaras, have enthused and inspired me to translate their exquisite music into the visual realm of Bharatanatyam. I have, over the years, conceived and presented , solo features and ensemble productions which have been mounted only, on the compositions of any one vaggeyakara

My first such feature was Thyagaraja Ramayanam, a solo feature using Thyagaraja krithis , while Jayadeva's Gitagovindam formed the base of Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum. Uthukada Venkata Kavi inspired me to present Mohana.. Krsna beckons, while Sri Rama Namam- Entha Ruchi Ra was spun with Bhakta Ramadas krithis

The lyrical beauty and the musical genius of Annamacharya , beckoned me often.

Annamacharya, was born in 1408, and, is said to have composed as many as 32,000 sankeertanas in praise of his beloved Lord Venkateswara, of which, around 12,000, etched on copper plates were discovered at Tirumala in 1922.

Around 1500 sankeerthanas, have been set to music by maestro composers such as : Sri Nedunuri Krishna Murthy, Dr. Mangalampalli Bala Murali Krishna, Srirangam Gopalarathnam, Sri Garimella Balakrishna Prasad , and others.

Early this year, Satthiraju Venu Madhav, a bright and rising star on the firmament of Carnatic Music released a Book and CD named Annamayya Padamandakini tuned and sung by him. Produced by Sujanaranjani, these 108 songs, set to 108 ragas, caused my pulse to quicken, as Annamacharya seemed to be calling me loud and clear!

Thus began this magical voyage..

TAALA PATRA - Hymns from the Hills.. has evolved as a four suite, solo feature, mainly using Annamacharya songs composed by Venumadhav, as well as one song by Rallapalli Ananthakrishna Sharma.

Spanning the narrative and the evocative, the temporal and the philosophical, I place 'Taala Patra - Hymns from the hills', as my humble offering to Him - Lord Venkateswara .. He who resides in the hills of Tirumala