Murchhana is based on stories from the oral tradition of the khol players (drummers) of rural Orissa. The khol players of Orissa interpret sangeet (music) as a combination of the three- nritya (dance), geeta (song), vadya (instrument)- plus a fourth element- the life- which is interpreted as Murchhana. Amrita says "The great reward of working with other dance forms is that it forces you to define yourself. Only from a rigorous churning is the essential substance revealed. What are the salient features of Kuchipudi? What is its essence? Many audiences come to Kuchipudi programs expecting to see the trademark dance on a brass plate- that is the climax of many Kuchipudi programs. But Kuchipudi is so much more than the dance on a brass plate! It is also lilting rhythms, drama, vachika abhinaya (spoken word), and sparkling light footed movements."