Repertoire

"Malavika: The Lost Princess" another full-length dance drama in Bharatanatyam, was a dramatic production involving the efforts of over 15 dancers and a variety of musical professionals both local and international. The story revolved around the secret identity of a court maiden, whose talents for music and dance reveal her to be a forgotten princess from another kingdom. Both comic and dramatic, "Malavika" was based on the epic poem "Malavika Agnimitram" by the Sanskrit scholar and poet Kalidasa. "Malavika: The Lost Princess" debuted in Gaithersburg, MD during the summer of 1997. Dances choreographed by Meena Telikicherla with music composed and arranged by Babu Parameswaran.

"Shantala" a full-length feature dance drama in Bharatanatyam depicting the cultural and artistic contributions Queen Shantala and her consort King Vishnuvardhana made to Indian classical art. Historically set during the 12th Century A.D., this dance drama is based on the epic poem written by Vidyalankara, Professor S.K. Ramachandra Rao of Bangalore, India, and features music composition and performance by state honored musicians and professionals. "Shantala" was choreographed and produced by Nrityanjali Artistic Director Meena Telikicherla. Music composed by Usha Char and arranged by Babu Parameswaran. Shantala made its debut performance in Gaithersburg, MD in the Spring of 1992 and was later performed in New York City (1995), Beltsville, MD (1999), and Pittsburgh, PA (1999). Video footage of the Beltsville, MD performance was featured on Montgomery Public Television and is currently on regular broadcast rotation. In addition, features for this recent performance ran in The Washington Post, The Montgomery Weekly, and several local Indian newspapers.