Pushpanjali is an invocatory Bharatanatyam piece that functions as an offering of flowers and a formal salutation at the very beginning of a performance.​

Literal meaning

• The word comes from Sanskrit: pushpa means “flower” and anjali means “offering” or “salutation with cupped hands,” so Pushpanjali literally means “flower offering.”​

• In practice, the dancer symbolically holds or offers flowers while using the anjali hand gesture to express respect and devotion.​

Role in Bharatanatyam

• It is usually the first item of the margam, where the dancer offers salutations to Lord Nataraja, the guru, musicians, the audience, and the eight directions (ashta dikpalakas).​

• Artistically, it combines simple nritta and gentle abhinaya, serving both as a warm‑up and as a ritual to invoke auspiciousness and remove obstacles before the main items of the recital.

"Jem Thakita" While the "Jem Thakita" section consists primarily of solkattu (rhythmic syllables) meant for technical dance (Nritta), the composition traditionally transitions into a devotional shloka or sahitya (lyrics). 

• Rhythmic Syllables: "Jem Thakita," "Thari Thajam," and "Thaka Thadhigina Thom" are mnemonic syllables that have no literal linguistic meaning but provide the rhythmic structure for the dancer's initial movements and salutations.

• The Devotional Intent: Following the rhythmic opening, this specific composition often incorporates a shloka from the Vishnu Sahasranama.

  • Meaning: The shloka is a meditation on Lord Vishnu in his cosmic form (Vishwaroopam). It describes bowing to the Supreme Being, whose body is the universe itself, encompassing all life forms, elements, and space in a divine synergy.