Desh Tillana - Ranaganayaki Jayaraman

Concept & Choreography: Yamini Kalluri
Musical Arrangement: Yamini Kalluri & Harsha Mandayam Bharathi

Yamini's intention behind this choreography is deeply rooted in love and musical inspiration. After hearing Rohith sing Desh Tillana during one of our music residencies, I was instantly captivated by the melody and rhythm of the piece. It was such a spontaneous moment—Rohith began singing while we were posing for our photoshoot, and it struck a chord within me. At the same time, I was enchanted by Sanjuktha Sinha’s graceful dance to a Lehra in Desh, which sparked the idea to incorporate a Hindustani lehra interlude into my choreography.
In this piece, I explore the charming love story of Sri Valli and Lord Murugan. I imagine her waiting in a lush forest, longing for him to relieve her lovesickness. And when he finally arrives, they share playful interactions that highlight their sweet bond. Since all of us in the Kritya ensemble share a love for Tamil culture, I wanted to honor the Tamil language through this choreography, weaving its beauty into the fabric of my dance