As summer arrives in New England, so does the Arangetram season which showcases the talents of many deserving students who hold the stage on their own and make their Gurus proud. Alongside the eager debutants are excited teachers, anxious parents, busy musicians and an appreciative audience all ready to encourage the young musician or dancer making their stage debut. 

One such Arangetram I happened to attend, was that of Sahana Prabhu, disciple of Smt. Suman Adisesh of Spanda School of Dance, Acton on June 24^th 2023 at Littleton High School. Sahana, a recent graduate of Acton Boxboro High School is blessed with a pleasant stage presence and a good sense of rhythm. Her rigorous training with Suman over the past 11 years has given her the stamina and vigor, necessary to maintain high level of energy and enthusiasm throughout the performance.  Sahana was accompanied by her Guru Suman Adisesh on Nattuvangam, Nanadakumar Unnikrishnan -Vocal, Karthik Vydatri -Mridangam and Rhythmpad and Ravi Kulur - Flute.

The program started with a welcome speech by Sahana’s father Mr. Prabhu in Konkani their Matrubasha (Mother tongue), following which an invocation to Lord Ganesh “Prathama Thulo Vandito” was sung. Sahana began her recital with a traditional Pushpanjali in Ragam Nattai followed by two popular songs on Ganesha “Gayiye Ganapathi and Thandava Nrithyakari” interwoven as a single piece. The episode showing Parvathi giving life to her son and his subsequent transformation as Ganapathi were well portrayed. Following this, a rare Jatiswaram in Ragam Kannada by Veena Padmanabhaiyya introduced the speed and energy that continued throughout the evening.

In keeping with Sahana’s Konkani heritage, the popular Purandaradasa krithi “Baghyada Lakshmi Baramma” was taken up for exposition.  Popularized by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in Raga Bhibhas, this devotional number portrayed the “Ashta Lakshmi” concept in a detailed manner. Nandakumar’s soulful singing added fervor to the piece.

Clad in a blue costume, Sahana commenced her second half of the recital with a Meera Bhajan “Aao More Manmohana” in Ragam Behag set to Adi talam. Conceptualized in the format of a Varnam, it talked of Meera’s love and devotion for Krishna. Short and crisp theermanams along with a crisp rendition of sollukattus by Suman to the excellent accompaniment of Karthik kept up the tempo of the piece.  Meera getting ready to receive Krishna and her disappointment in not being able to catch a glimpse of him were well done by Sahana.   Ravi Kulur’s flute interludes added beauty to the number especially in the depiction of Raas Leela.

Next came the peppy number. “Adenamma’ in Ragam Paras portraying Shiva as the cosmic dancer. Suman had interspersed abhinaya with Karanas and Charis to show the thandava aspect of Natyam in a pleasant manner.  This was followed by the popular Thillana by Lalgudi G.Jayaraman in Raga Mand on Goddess Kamakshi.  Sahana concluded her recital with an Abhang “ Maja Mahare Pandari”  transporting the audience to Pandharipur .  My congratulations and appreciation to Suman for her wonderful training and to Sahana for making her Guru and parents proud with a sincere performance.

Sangeetha Prasanna is a Bharatanatyam dancer trained in Kalakshetra and teaching through her institution Natyarasika School of Dance in Acton, MA

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