Introduced and Translated by **‘MANNA’ N. SRINIVASAN** * Reproduced from *Sangeet Natak* Journal with grateful acknowledgements to Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and to Shri Manna Srinivasan. The Bharatanatyam concert format and order of presentation (margam) comprising Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Sabdam, Varnam, Padam, Javali and Thillana-was designed with much imagination and foresight by the Tanjore Quartet, the brothers Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Sivanandam and Vadivelu, who were born during the first decade of the nineteenth century. The margam they created is notable for its graded structure and scope for variety and diversity of content. Hailing from an Odhuvar (Thevaram hymn-singers’) family, the brothers were steeped in music and bhakti. They equipped themselves further in the practice of music as disciples of Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one of the Thiruvarur Trinity of music composers. In the process, the brothers became prolific composers, setting down model compositions, both lyrics and music, for the different components of a dance presentation. In