10 |Savula Vannama| The Fowl
This is the recital of the fowl (chicken). The Asuras are discomfited in the long drawn out war with the Devas and as God Skanda enters the field, he cuts them in two and lifts each half. From one half
9 |Uraga Vannama| The Reptile
This is the recital of the Reptiles. This vannama describes the movements of crawling animals, particularly it is a depiction of the day in the life of Serpents. The serpent with body brightly speckled, prays on frogs and even on other
8 |Ukusa Vannama| The Hawk
This vannama recites a diurnal and powerful bird of prey, the Hawk. The dancers portray the flight of the hawk as the vannama sings of two hawks flying leisurely; as though floating in the air as two tender buds growing
7 |Musaladi Vannama| The Hare
This is the recital of the Hare. The behavior of a hare is described in this Vannama and performs whilst the lyrics sing gracefully of how the Hare hops about, crouching and trembling with fear. The dancers express how the
6 |Gahaka Vannama| Conch Shell
This vannama is performed in respect to the Conch Shell. This is a shell of a large predatory sea snail, Turbinella pyrum, found in the Indian Ocean. This vannama is dedicated to the King of the celestial world; an eulogy of
5 |Vairodi Vannama| Emerald Stone
This is the recital of the emerald stone, Vairodi which is the green cat's eye, considered a precious gem. Picturing the palace of God Iswara, at the top of Mount Kailasa, this vannama is just as vibrant like the Emerald.
4 |Thuraga Vannama| The Horse
This Vannama moves with the rhythm of the horse, lyrics composed to the lasting glory of the good stallion, the noble born and high minded, Kanthaka. The stallion of Prince Siddhartha (Kanthaka) is the inspiration for this Vannama. It describes the
3 |Mayura Vannama| The Peacock
This Vannama is the recital of the Peacock. The dancers perform to the singing in praise of the beautiful Peacock bird, God Skanda's vehicle. He is known as the glorious God with a long spear and for being compassionate to
2 |Hanuma Vannama| The Monkey
This Vannama is the recital of the Monkey in which the dancers imitates the actions of a monkey. The Monkey God masquerade, The Hanuman has been a dance of imitations in parts of South Travancore where the wondering homeless (Pandaram)
1 |Gajaga Vannama| The Elephant
This Vannama is the recital of the Elephant. Dancers enact the majestic walk of the celestial Iravana, elephant of the sacred legends. The dignified features of the elephant are portrayed in choice diction; Irvana's bathing and frolicking about, its stride and movements are