The following is an example of one of the stories that Neena Gulati hands out before beginning to teach a dance. This story provides a brief description, as well as the words sung in the native language and the translation of the words in to English so the dancers can give proper facial expressions.

Raga: Mohan
Tala: Adi
Description: This dance is a depiction of the opening story from the Gita Govinda. It describes the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This composition by poet Rangadasa is set to a dance with a quick tempo. At the end of each incarnation the dancer depicts hand gestures suggesting the form of the avatar (incarnation).

Matsya (Fish)

Matsyaramuna mariyam budilo
Jotsi yuna somaka druchina
Vitsalavidi vedamu ajanaku
Itsiti vow matsya avatar

Transalation:

While Lord Vishnu is sleeping, the Demon comes and steals the Vedas and goes into the ocean. After awakening, Vishnu realizes that the Vedas have been taken to the ocean. He turns into a fish. Lord Vishnu goes into the ocean, kills the demons and retrieves the Vedas.

Kurma (Tortoise)

Palumarumima drustuti che yusa
Chakagi suralu jaldhima dhimpuga
Kalani balimi ylamita nosagina
Ylamita nosagina
Kulaghiri kurma avatar

Translation:

The Gods and the Demons are churning the mountain to remove the nectar. As the tug of wart is happening, the mountain begins to sink. Lord Vishnu takes the form of he tortoise to lift the mountain of his back. Lord Vishnu then kills the demons so the gods receive the nectar from the mountain.

Vara (Boar)

Stiramuga dhara muruvadi che kuna
Uraga padhuma ira vuru jyotisina
Hiran yakshu bari mar chithi vow
War suguna varahu rupa
 

Translation:

As the revolving earth begins to sink, Lord Vishnu takes the form of a boar and saves the sinking earth by lifting it on his tusks.

Narsi (Half man-half lion)

Dhum dhum duna dhim dhim dhimi
Dhum dhum dhana dhanaku dumkuku

Translation:

The evil king Hiranya Kashya Pur cannot be killed either by a man or a beast, neither inside nor outside. The beautiful Lord Vishnu become half man-half lion, drags the king to the threshold and drinks his blood.

Vaman (dwarf-priest)

Manita mugh mulo kamulanu
Jano paga kappa dnaga
Manuga ma dadugula badiche
Danamuguni wman rupa

Translation:

King Bali raja had everything. Lord Vishnu took the form of vaman, the dwarf priest. He asked Bali raja for 3 wishes. Whatever Lord Vishnu placed a step on would belong to him. His first step was the Land, his second step was the ocean, and the third step was on the head of King Bali Raja to humble him.

Parshuraman (Warrior God)

Tarika tarika dharini ptaluna
Parashu muche mura mura maditivow
Var vi rat Para Krama mun
Barabiti vow Bhargava Ram

Translation:

Lord Vishnu takes the form of the warrior God to kill evil. However, Parshuman can not stand the sight of blood.

Ram

Dasharata tana yuda ved suralaku
Vasa mukhani das mukha druchini
Visa dum buga ayodhyakaku sita do
Venchesina dasharata rama

Translation:

Lord Vishnu takes the form of Rama to kill the ten-headed demon Ravana with the help of the monkey God Hanuman.

Bala Ram(Plowman)

Yadeva bunshabi sudha kari
Adi deva dadugala janava
Helamunuigoni khalulani drunchina
Medina bhara mudi pina
Bala Ram

Translation:

When the river Jamuna becomes blocked, Lord Vishnu takes the form of Bala Ram, to plow so the river can flow smoothly.

Buddha

Smrutalalona paikinia ritiga
Kerelanchedu gavada lanu
Karuna tooda nirasinchita vow
Bhanga paratu baudha avatar

Translation:
Lord Vishnu took the form of Buddha, the god of peace to stop people from killing and slaughtering cows.

Kalki

Natuka kali bhadala na paga
Niuga kata vapag buniya
Vataka muna duratmula
Gitada china Kalika avatar

Translation:
Lord Vishnu will take this final form of Kalki and come riding on the celestial white horse to destroy evil from the universe.