This Bharatanatyam presentation of Madurai R. Muralidharan’s Murugan Kauthuvam attracts viewers with a lively take on a traditional piece in praise of Lord Muruga, a widely worshipped god in Hindu culture. The dancers show Muruga majestically riding and dancing with his peacock, showing devotion in melodious charanams describing his various facets: how he was born from Shiva’s wrath, his wife, Valli, and how he prevailed over the asura Surapadman, amongst many others. The dancers depict Shiva da