Learning

A recital that is the last one of the day may end with a mangalam, a short benediction during which the dancer performs the namaskaram, giving thanks and invoking blessings for everyone present. A mangalam usually is no more than a minute or two in duration. The music uses one of the “auspicious” ragas, typically Madhyamavathi.

Thodaya Mangalam is sung before dance kutcheri as well. They believe that Today Mangalam has some purifying and auspicious effect, thus it is necessary to sing it to provide pure devotinal atmosphere for successful performance.

The songs in Thodaya Mangalam are in praise of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Srinivasa, (various forms and names of Lord Maha Vishnu) and composed in sanskrit and telugu in ghana ragas like Naatai, Aarabi, Madhyamaavathi, Saaveri, and Panthuvarali.