Krishna Avataar is considered the most superior of all the 10 Avataars of Maha Vishnu. Many composers have expressed their devotion to him by describing his playfulness in different ways. One of them is Saint Jayadeva who lived a few thousands year ago. Gita Govindam written by him is very well-known. Since each of the songs has eight charanams these songs are also called ASHTAPATHI.

Even though Ashtapathi songs are sung in concerts and in dances, only a few understand the meaning of the songs since they are written in Sanskrit. Generally many think that these are devotional songs filled with SRINGARA RASAM

Actually the three characters in this dance drama KRISHNA, RADHAI and SAKHI are respectively PARAMATHMA, JEEVATHMA and GURU. The underlying meaning of this dance drama is how the Guru unites the Jeevathma with the Paramathma.

In this drama, Radhai is humbled. She is taught the two ways of devotion. One of them is to reach God by one's own efforts. The other is the Lord himself coming looking for the Jeevathma and accepting the devotee.

Madhava Geetham, a Dance Drama in Tamil has been written with these lofty thoughts contained in Gita Govindam. In brief the story is: Nandagopa, who had taken the cattle for grazing tells Krishna to take the cattle home since it was going to rain heavily. On the way they remain in the dark Latha Gruham, surrounded by trees for long and then return home. Radhai holds Krishna responsible for everything that had happened and asks for his explanation. This is the end of the story.

The eighth song has a line conveying the meaning 'why do I need wealth and relatives', the seventeenth has a line meaning 'do not find fault with anyone. Just perform your duty, and the twentyfifth song has a line meaning 'Krishna you are responsible for everything and you need to bless'. All these reinforce what Krishna has said in Bhagavath Geetha.

With the blessings of Madhava, I composed these songs in September 1978. It would be more appropriate to say that I got these compositions from somewhere than that I composed them.

Smt.Alamelu Jayarama Iyer taught me Gita Govindam when I was barely 7 years old. I was singing the songs exactly as my Guru taught me. Every time I sang these songs I went through invaluable pleasant experiences and benefits. All India Radio have broadcast my rendering of Gita Govindam twice. I organized a group to sing Gita Govindam as a full concert in two well known Sabhas. The concerts were well received and appreciated by the audience and the music critics in the media.

Over a period I could not sing due to my failing health. I used to teach Gita Govindam to many students and send their Gurudakshina to Lord Gruvayurappan.

While I was mentally suffering since I could not sing myself, due to the Grace of God I started receiving new compositions in my ears set to music. Most of them were on the Tamil God Muruga.

Sri T R Subramaniam of Delhi University was kind enough to perform exclusive concerts of my compositions and thereby popularize them. Some music lovers asked me whether I had composed any Javali or Padham for dances. I began composing a series of songs on Muruga and Krishna suitable for dance performances.

Prof S Ramanathan asked me once why I should not attempt to set Gita Govindam into Tamil. I had no proficiency in Sanskrit and I thought if Gita Govindam is sung in Tamil it may sound vulgar.

He said that if we only take the full meaning of each song and try composing it in Tamil it will be possible. I did not think it would work.

All of a sudden one fine morning the words "MEENUM AAMAIYUM" kept on ringing in my mind and within the next three days all the twentyfour songs along with a Pillayar Thuthi and Mangalam came to my mind set to music.

Thus Madhava Geetham was created with the kindness of Krishna, blessings of my Guru, my own misoriented devotion, and the good words of Prof Ramanathan. My happiness on that day is ummatched.

Each of the Ashtapathis have been set in the same Raga in which I was singing Gita Govindam. I have notated in such a way that it is easy for everyone to sing these songs. There are no difficult sangathis. Singers can evolve the sangathis based on their taste, voice and their proficiency. Musicians can sing Madhava Geetham in the same way they sing the Gita Govindam..

Famous Veena Exponent Sri G N Dhandapani, Professor S Ramanathan, Sri T R Subramaniam and Sri Thanjavur S Kalyanaraman have listened to Madhava Geetham and offered suggestions for improvements in select places. Smt Rukmani Arundale, Professor S Ramanathan and Sri T S Parthasarathy have gone through the entire Madhava Geetham and offered their felicitations. I respectfully thank all of them.

Smt Lalitha Seshadri, my relative and a well known musician has drawn the picture of the Radha-Madhava with the flute that has made the cover of this book very attractive.

Krishna who made me sing this Madhava Geetham will surely make everyone sing these songs and dance too.

With the blessings of my Gurus, I dedicate Madhava Geetham with utmost satisfaction to the lotus feet of Madhava, playing the mystic flute and pray that all those who sing and dance Madhava Geetham may get the choicest blessings of Madhava and be very happy.