Tillana
तिल्लानाSanskritSay it: til · laa · naa
- aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long
The brilliant closing item of pure dance.
RepertoireBharatanatyam
Meaning
The tillana concludes a recital. It is built on rhythmic syllables rather than narrative lyrics, is quick and sculpturesque, and is designed to end the evening on energy and precision. Many tillanas close with a short sung line in praise of a deity.
Also written: thillana