Repertoire or Margam

The word “Margam” means a path or course followed. It is a traditional order in which the items are executed in a Bharatanatyam recital. It was formatted by the Thanjavur brothers, popularly known as the Tanjore quartet in the early 19th century.

According to the great legendary dancer T.S.Balasaraswati, “The traditional order of Bharatanatyam – Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana and Shloka or verse, is the correct sequence for revealing the spiritual through the corporeal.”

This art form has been evolving and changing and so is the Margam. The present day Margam might consist of some of the items like Pushpanjali, Kautuvam, Keertanam, Javali or Ashtapadi.