“Dancing is an art,
The floor is my canvas,
I am the brush,
And whatever comes out is from the heart!!! “

These words truly echo the sentiments of the debutante dancer Sruthi Ramesh, as she ascended the stage and mesmerized one and all with her flawless rendition during her Bharatanatyam Arangetram on August 11, 2019, at Seifert Performing Arts Center, Salem, NH.  Sruthi is a student of Guru Smt. Sujatha Meyyappan, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer and the artistic director of Kolam Academy of Dance, in Tyngsboro Massachusetts.

Arangetram which literally means “Ascending the stage”, marks the completion of the several years of intense and dedicated training with the Guru and the dancer’s first step into the world of solo stage performance. This is the occasion for the Guru to present her disciple to the critics, artists and well-wishers. The entire Margam or traditional repertoire created by Guru Sujatha Meyyappan, was a very difficult one and challenged Sruthi on manifold aspects of Nritha, Abinaya, Bhava, precision footwork, sculpturesque poses, agility, endurance, transitioning between emotions and the navarasas in their entirety. True to the test, Sruthi with her tireless dedication, devotion, utmost love and respect for the dance and her “always yes can do” attitude, emerged dazzling and took one and all with her, in her wondrous journey through the compositions. The songs were mostly new compositions by Sri Madurai R. Muralidaran, a great composer and choreographer, who also is Guru to Smt Sujatha Meyyappan.

Sruthi commenced the Margam with a “Pushpanjali” in ragam Vijaya Vasantham and set to Adi talam. In this beautiful composition, Sruthi sought blessings of Lord Nataraja – the God of Dance, her Guru, the accompanying artists, Mother earth and the audience !!! This was followed by a “Slokam and Ganapthi Stuthi” in ragam Nattai and set to Adi talam. With a beaming smile and excellent footwork, Sruthi beautifully depicted and sought blessings from Lord Ganesha – the Remover of Obstacles, and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

The next presentation abundantly showcased her talent in abhinaya. Sruthi presented a Padham praising Goddess Tripura Sundari, in raagam Ahir Bhairavi and set to talam Misra Chappu. Sruthi manifested herself into the various forms of the Devi be it her rudra avataram killing the demon or the loving mother nourishing and blessing her children - each emotion was portrayed beautifully!

Next in the beautiful ensemble of performances was the Varnam, the central piece of the performance which is the longest and challenges the dancer’s agility, artistry, imagination, endurance and expertise. This beautiful 38 minute Varnam composed by Guru Sri Madurai R. Muralidaran in raagam Nalinakanthi and set to talam Adi was immersed in Bhakthi praising Lord Nataraja. There were two stories beautifully woven in the Varnam. The first one where Lord Nataraja disguises as a lad who volunteers to help build a bridge in exchange for food from an old lady, only to fall asleep and get a good whipping from her. He then presents himself in his divine form, blesses the people and grants moksham to the lady. In the second half He disguises himself again and goes to a devotee’s house seeking food. How the lady of the house tends to His needs giving up on what’s dearest to her and the miracle after, form the crux of this story.

Sruthi immersed herself into the characters and brought them to life. The Varnam was substantial in concept, complexity of choreography, rhythmic detail and movement.  Sruthi presented the piece with expertise- conveying emotions and stories with her eyes and instantaneous changes in expression. Her vibrant steps interspersed with beautiful poses depicting the supreme Lord of Dance was a delight to watch. The pathos and agony of the mother abandoning her baby to feed the guest left no eye without tears in the audience!!! Sruthi brought tears to one and all with her quivering lips begging the Lord for some consideration!!! They cried with the mom and smiled with relief and ecstasy when the baby was brought back!!! What a powerful performance ... incredible emotions!!! Sruthi once again shone as a versatile dancer who compelled the audience to applaud in response to her grace and mesmerizing expressions.

After a brief intermission, in the second half of the evening, Sruthi started off with “Muralidhara Kavithuvam” in praise of Lord Krishna, composed in raagam Arabi and set to talam Adi. Sruthi enjoyed dancing to describe the various acts of Gokulakrishnan, his playful antics while stealing butter, or the anandam when playing kolattam!!! Sruthi literally had springs in her feet, leaping and dancing with joy being Krishna in the company of Gopikas!!! Sri Ramani Thiagarajan’s rendition on the flute added a divine and melodious touch and transported all to the lands of Vrindavanam.

Next was a unique performance “Mazhai” composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, in raagam Raagamalika and talam Ata (Kanda Jathi). A very unique, contemporary piece of dance, depicting the beauty and the ferociousness of mother nature in the form of rain (Mazhai).The lyrics and the music brought out the beauty of splashing rain before it transformed into a powerful, vigorous and all-consuming thunderstorm, with lashing waves and blinding lightening. The audience could feel the splash of raindrops, puddles of water and the beauty of rain with Sruthi. Then came the lashing storms, lightening and the ferocious downpour that soaked and left people shivering for existence!!! Beautifully presented combing the contemporary situation with human emotions- whether it was the shivering fingers depicting raindrops, or the arched eyebrows, or the whirling tornado or the surging waves, Sruthi became one with nature and led the audience on a roller coaster ride of the force of nature!!! One could literally feel the swirling and rising of the tornado, with Sruthi’s dance!!!

After the beauty and fury of Mazhai, Lord Subramanya (Karthikeya) ascended on stage in the form Kavadhi Chindhu by Sruthi. Seeing Sruthi perform energetically with her trademark smile, brought back memories of her dancing on Kavadhi Chindhu as a little girl probably 6-7 years old!!! Her energy and enthusiasm were unparalled in this performance. Her Guru Sujatha Meyyappan specially commented that she challenged Sruthi to choreograph part of the dance, which she accomplished very beautifully!!

A Thillana in Madhuvanthi ragam, composed by Sri Madurai R. Muralidaran, was an appropriate culmination to the amazing evening. Sruthi’s mastery of the footwork and adavus, speed, sculptural poses and her synchronization with the brilliant notes of mridangam and nattuvangam were on full display during this grand finale showpiece. As the Mangalam commenced, the audience joined clapping in synchronized rhythm as Sruthi offered her final namaskarams to Lord Nataraja, the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. She was greeted with a rousing and well-deserved standing ovation from the packed auditorium in recognition of a truly dazzling and mesmerizing recital.

Sruthi’s grandparents who travelled from India for this event gave a very heartfelt emotional speech describing their joy and happiness on seeing their granddaughter perform on stage. They paid their respectful heartfelt thanks to her Guru, the musicians, Sruthi’s parents (Sathya and Ramesh) and friends!!!  Her friends Adithi, Lamitha and Saadhvi, praised her dedication to dance and the sheer joy of watching their friend emerge as this beautiful composed dancer. Sruthi’s Guru Sujatha Meyyappan applauded her ability to tell stories with her expressive eyes, her patience and hardworking nature.

Sruthi’s truly memorable arangetram was both a visual and auditory delight, as ragam and talam played an integral part. In addition to the beautiful choreography and Nattuvangam of Guru Sujatha Meyyappan, Sruthi was supported majestically by an orchestra of renowned musicians from India. Sri E.P. Sudev Warrier on vocals is both well-known and loved by the New England art lovers. Sri K.S. Sudhaman provided the rhythmic foundation for the entire Arangetram with his brilliance and entertaining showmanship on Mridangam. He added special touches at key moments in the performance and after. Sri Ramani Thiagarajan mesmerized the audience playing Lord Krishna’s own favorite musical instrument the Flute. The versatile Sri Veeramani Nagarajan enthralled all with his melodious and soulful Violin rendition.

A special round of applause and thanks was extended by Ramesh (Sruthi’s dad) to the MC’s Priya (Sruthi’s aunt) and Saravanan Meyyappan. He also concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks to all including the audio and lighting by Mark, photography by Krisp Photos and video by Kolam Media Creations.

The auditorium was decked to a perfection by Shami Ramanan of Mayuri creations. The 650 plus guests were welcomed with Panneer (rose water), Maligai poo (Jasmine strands), kumkumam and chandanam. The hallways were beautifully lined up with Sruthi’s dance pictures, special mention to the one collage which showed her dance over the years from a little girl till today! On stage, an elegant backdrop with suspended lamps between sculptured columns recreated the scene of a mandapam from a typical ancient South Indian temple and added to the authenticity of the ambience.

Friends, families, eminent dance and music personalities as well as well-wishers from all over the United States and India, attended the event. For those who could not attend in person, the event was live streamed worldwide, thanks to Kolam Media Creations.

The guests were served mouthwatering dinner after the performance catered by Madras Grill.

To sum up the evening in one word, all I quote is what Sruthi said “Wow”, simply wow!!! An enchanting evening of music, dance and emotions!!! We wish Sruthi lots of love and all the best in her future endeavors and journey as a successful dancer and a very kind hearted and patient human being!!!

|