Composer: Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Ragam: Aananda bhairavi
Talam: Adi
Language: Telugu
Choreographer: Smt. Neha Parikh

This piece begins with Ramadasu being accused of stealing jewels from the king, and his hands being tied up by the guard and being led to the jail as he is being accused and insulted by the people. Ramadasu then begins to sing out from his prison cell, asking Rama whether his word is as precious as gold that he cannot help him? This piece is based on the greatness of Kodandapani (Lord Rama with a bow in hand).

Ramadasu cries out asking whether Lord Rama’s talk is gold, that he never responds when he is being called out to by Ramadasu. And, even in his sleep, Ramadasu does not forget and continues to call out to Lord Rama, yet no response.

There is then a sanchari that demonstrates how Lord Rama wanted to get to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife but was puzzled on how to get to Sri Lanka. Then, a monkey comes along and tells Rama to not worry, that he, along with the monkey crew will build a bridge to Sri Lanka. With Lord Rama’s blessings, the monkees begin to build the bridge. Even a little squirrel is helping to build the bridge, which Lord Rama recognizes, and picks up and shows his compassion towards. Ramadasu tells Lord Rama how he even showed compassion to this squirrel, and asks why he cannot get any of that compassion.

Ramadasu then tells Lord Rama that he believes that Lord Rama earned fame by transforming a stone into a woman, Ahalya.

Ramadasu then asks, oh my father, why are you not compassionate? I’ve been begging repeatedly. You possess the title ‘protector of devotees’. I pray for your mercy. Please bless Bhadrachala Ramadasu and protect me.

Nithya’s remarks:

Although this piece is very different from all the other ones I have performed so far today, it is probably one of my most challenging pieces since I have never experienced what the poet is going through. So, expressing his feelings is tricky, but also very interesting and fun because it is almost like pure acting and becoming different roles instantaneously. I also love the choregraphy that Neha Aunty created for this piece, and appreciate how much creativity she used to even add some humor to it! I know how hard she worked on choreographing this piece for me, and I love it so much -- thank you, Neha Aunty!