Mesmerizing Arangetram by Shruti Das and Srimayi Chaturvedula

Great infusions of talent and energy have been increasingly exhibited by young talented dancers of Boston area.  One such performance was the arangetram of Shruti Das and Srimayi Chaturvedula, disciples of Guru Smt. Poornima Risbud, held at Sharon Middle School, MA on September 17, 2016. Both dancers provided a perfect amount of entertainment and a fine augury for the prosperity of the ancient classical dance form.

An arangetram is symbolic of reaching a level of technical understanding and emotional maturity. Reaching this level requires constant dedication and consistent hard work over a long period of time. The involvement of the Guru and both of her disciples was clearly evident in this evening’s performance.

With Guru Poornima Risbud on nattuvangam accompanied by Sri. Sudev Warrier (vocal), Sri. K. S. Sudhaman (Mridangam), and Sri. Ramani Thiagarajan (Flute); Shruti and Srimayi opened the recital with a traditional ‘Pushpanjali’ in Ragam Vijaya Vasantham, a composition of Madurai Muralidaran which was followed by ‘Pari Pari Nee Padame’ an invocatory item offering salutation to Lord Ganesha. The opening statement set the tone of their competence. The ‘alarippu’ set in Chaturasam and consummately planned had the artists impressively executing movements to perfect rhythm. The dancers’ subtle command over expressions and the vivacious quality of the performance was bought out in Kanchadalayadakshi – an expressive item that greeted the three Devi’s - Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati.

The dancers then moved on to take an interesting Ragamalika varnam for a detailed treatment. It was a vibrant reflection of their command over the eclectic elements of this genre of Indian classical dance. The Dasavatharam varnam composed by Maharaja Swati Thirunaal had a captivating combination of music and melody. It was an absolute delight to watch the dancers bring out the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu through short stories or Sancharis.

The ‘Shiva Panchakshara Stotram’ composed by Adi Shankaracharya was the next item that described the divine features and celestial qualities of Lord Shiva. Shruti and Srimayi went on to display their refinement in abhinaya by presenting a few solo items. The beauty and splendor of the temples of Belur and Halebidu was beautifully bought to stage by Shruti in ‘Eni Mahanandave’, a Kannada composition of D.V. Gundappa while Srimayi delineated the characters of Krishna and Gopi thorough ‘Madhura Nagarilo’, a Telugu composition of Cittor Subramaniya Pillai joyously displaying the pranks of Lord Krishna.

The thillana in Ragam Brindavani revealed the dancers command over rhythmic patterns. The last item of this performance was a traditional Gondhal folk melody in Marathi language, ‘Lallati Bhandaar’ which left the rasikas enthralled. A short Mangalam praising Ganesha concluded the arangetram.

The spirited nattuvangam by Guru Poornima, the enlivening music of Sri. Sudev Warrier (vocal), euphonious notes played by Thiagarajan (flute) and the phenomenal mrindangam exhibition by Sri. K. S. Sudhaman all contributed to a remarkable performance.

Both Das and Chaturvedula families along with Shachi Risbud, herself an expert Bharatanatyam and fusion dance artist, had planned the event to a great detail. Shruti Das and Srimayi Chaturvedula’s stamina, memory and confidence were commendable. I wish them both great success in their journey of dance.

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