A FLICK of the wrist, a glance of the eye, and a flow of movements steeped in elegance — Bharatanatyam, one of India's oldest classical dance forms, enchants its audiences with every step.
At the heart of this art form lies the arangetram, a powerful rite of passage and debut solo performance that marks a dancer's evolution from student to artist.
Derived from the Tamil words "Arangu" (stage) and "Etram" (ascending), the arangetram symbolises a dancer's readiness to ascend the stage for the first time.
After years of intense training, the student delivers a full-length performance, showcasing not only their technical mastery but their emotional depth, stamina, and devotion.
Accompanied by live music, the dancer collaborates with an ensemble that adds vibrance and rhythm, enhancing every gesture and expression.
This year, the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) celebrated the arangetram of four talented dancers — Shaneera Karuna-Nair, Preeshaa Nair, and brothers Nageshwaran and Gururaj Ramachandran.
Family, friends, and mentors gathered in honour of their achievements, a testament to their dedication and love for the art form.
Pankhuri Agrawal, mentor to Shaneera and Preeshaa, explained the significance of this milestone: "It's not just about skill; it's a cultural and spiritual journey that honours the traditions and pays homage to the gurus who have guided the dancers."
The season's festivities featured a stellar ensemble of musicians from Malaysia and India, including choreographer Shri Shankar Kandasamy, vocalist Shri Nandakumar Unnikrishnan, mrigandamist Shri Darmen Krishnan, violinists Shri Hariraam Tingyuan Lam and Shrimathi Pangasaasanii Gowrisan, and flutist Shri Vivek V Krishna.
Their expertise elevated the arangetram's rhythmic and emotional intensity, creating an unforgettable experience.
A JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION
Each dancer's performance was unique, yet they all shared the beauty of a meticulously crafted repertoire, blending spirituality, emotion, and rhythmic power.
Shaneera and Preeshaa's recitals opened with Pushpanjali, an offering of flowers, followed by Alarippu, symbolising the blossoming of the dancer's soul under their Guru's guidance.
In 'Varnam: Swami Naan Unthan Adimai', an elaborate piece combining pure and expressive dance, the dancer embodies a heroine longing for the divine Lord Skanda, interwoven with tales of devotion.
The finale, 'Thillana', brought a joyful climax, showcasing fast-paced footwork and rhythmic complexity, as the dancers seemed to lose themselves in the grace and rhythm of the divine.
Nageshwaran and Gururaj's arangetram featured seven dances, leading the audience through themes of ritual, devotion, and celebration. They began with Mantra Pushpanjali, an offering of flowers and mantras for universal well-being, followed by Alarippu, expressing the disciple's devotion to the Guru.
'Keerthanam: Kanden Kanden Seetheyai' brought Hanuman's journey to life, showcasing his loyalty and bravery as he conveys news of Sita's plight to Rama.
Another highlight, 'Taranggam: Govardhana Giridhara', celebrated Krishna's strength as he lifted Mount Govardhana to shelter his devotees.
WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUALS
While the performances honoured their achievements, Pankhuri notes that the dancers are also focused on well-rounded lives, with pursuits beyond dance.
Shaneera, who started dancing at age 7, has participated in various TFA productions, including the International Ramayana Festival in New Delhi.
She will soon begin her undergraduate studies in biotechnology at Monash University. Preeshaa, also passionate about science, is pursuing a bachelor's in genomics and bioinformatics at Monash, balancing her academic interests with her deep connection to dance.
Brothers Nageshwaran and Gururaj are versatile performers with diverse artistic experiences.
Nageshwaran, who began as a Balavihar student at 3 years old before embarking on Bharatanatyam at 6, recently completed his bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and aspires to balance a professional career with his love for dance.
Gururaj, a multi-talented artist, has studied a wide array of disciplines including Carnatic vocals, contemporary dance, flute, taekwondo, Chinese drumming and Filipino martial arts.
Having finished his A-Level studies, he plans to further his education in the coming year.
LOOKING AHEAD
These rising talents will next appear in key roles at the Shantanand Festival of Arts, an annual celebration of dance and music, held from Nov 29 to Dec 1.
This event promises to be another milestone in their artistic journey, as they join seasoned artists and newcomers alike in a celebration of the vibrant legacy of Bharatanatyam.