Kumari Meena: Embracing the Art of Bharatanatyam 

On 10th August this summer, I had a blessed day in being an emcee at the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Kumari. Meena Ravi Lakshmanan, disciple of Guru Smt. Sapna Krishnan, Lasya School of Dance. I was warmly greeted by the parents and family at the Sutton High School auditorium. The decorations that adorned the corridor were unique and included the Mahabharata court scene of Draupadi being disrobed by the Gauravas. 

Meena is a rising junior at the Shrewsbury High School and has been immersed in the art of Bharatanatyam since the age of six. One important key to success is self-confidence and an important key to self-confidence is preparation. After almost a decade of vigorous preparation, Meena was ready to ascend the stage with self- confidence and go through a successful arangetram.

What a display of costume colors with blue and white for the Ganesha Stuthi, Shanmukha Kavithuam and Devi Neeye Thunai. Smt. Anu Metra did an awesome job with the sabha lakshanam for Meena with makeup and adorable costumes.

Meena’s dance for the Shanmukha Kauthuvam was truly mesmerizing. The change of her body poses, facial expressions and dance rhythms as a peacock, Lord Muruga, Goddess Deivanai and Goddess Valli and demon Soorapadhman showed her true love for dance just like the raga Shanmukhapriya that shows the love for Lord Shanmugha.

Meena played the role of Goddess Meenakshi in Devi Neeye Thunai and showed expressions with her beautiful fish shaped eyes. Thanks to her parents who had named her Meena at birth, and they had predicted that she would be a beautiful dancer like Goddess Meenakshi.

Meena then switched over to a sea blue green with pink costume for the Meera Bhajan that was formatted into a varnam by our eminent singer Sri. Sudev Warrier. Nilanjana Nambiar narrated the stories in her melodic mesmerizing voice and Meena danced to the stories of Mahabharata, with the court scene of Draupadi, Bhakta Prahlada and Gajendra Moksham. Sapna, being one of the renowned teachers in the New England Area, brought out the Navarasas in Meena throughout the varnam and it was one of the stunning performances of Meena for the evening.

Meena was blessed with speeches by her grandparents, her aunt and uncle, cousins, brother and her friends through the entire blissful arangetram.

Meena started the second half of the program with an enthralling Shiva Tandava Stotram and excelled in showcasing the most challenging poses of Lord Shiva in a vibrant steel blue and red dance costume. This is the first signature Bharatanatyam choreography of Sapna for an upbeat fusion song.              

The arangetram took flavor with the best musicians, Sangeeta Ratna Sri. E P Sudev Warrier, disciple of late Padmavibushan Dr. M Balamurali Krishna who has inherited his Guru’s voice as the vocalist. He was accompanied by Sri. Ramani Thiagarajan, son and disciple of flute maestro, Padmashree Dr.N.Ramani, on the flute who excels in the style of his father.  Sri. Nagarajan Shanmugalingam, disciple of Padma Vibhushan Sri. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman on the Mridangam and Magical Rhythm pad exhibited the vibrant thala laya.

Sri. Anandhu Lal, disciple of Padmashri Sangita Kalanidhi Vidushi A. Kanyakumari on the violin brought to us an extensive musical talent that was combined with a sharp acumen and fine sense of creativity.  Thank you to the musicians for singing the beautiful song of “Chinnajiru killeye kannama" which is one my favorite compositions of Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiar.

I recently saw a video of M. Balamurali Krisha sir singing, and he was enjoying Sri. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman on the mridangam playing a thani avarthanam. After many years we were gifted to witness the two disciples, Nagarajan sir and Sudev ji of these great legends performing on the same stage.

“Endaro Mahanubhavulul Andariki Vandanamu”.  My salutations to all these great men in this world.   

Following the vibrant Shiva Thandavam, Meena performed a Keerthanam, Janaki Ramana composed by Vanamamalai Jiyar Swaami. She portrayed the stories of Lord Rama protecting the hermitage of Sage Kausikha, of Shabari, of ‘Ahalya moksham”, and Sita swayamvaram with great charm and elegance.

It was the best part of the arangetram for me when Meena gracefully danced for Asaindhadum Mayil ondru kandaal composed by Sri. Ootukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyyar, in Simhendra Madhyamam. Next time I witness a peacock dancing it will seem to me like the beautiful face of Meena in addition to the beautiful face of Lord Krishna.

The last dance in the arangetram was a Thillana composed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, sung in praise of Lord Padumanaba in ragam Dhanasree. Meena concluded the evening with a Mangalam paying obeisance to the Almighty, Guru, musicians and the Rasikas. She received the well-deserved standing ovation. Tears of happiness rolled down the face of Meena’s mother when she embraced Sapna backstage, showcasing the gratitude and admiration she had for the Guru.

A beautiful verse from Taittiriya Upanishad comes to my mind when I think about Smt. Sapna Krishnan.

“Mathru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava, Aacharya Devo Bhava Athidhi Devo Bhava”.

Guru is the teacher of each living and nonliving things or the world who shows the child the God! Smt. Sapna Krishnan has shown the path to all her beloved students to reach God through her unique style of teaching this art form. Congratulations to her on celebrating the 20 th year of Lasya School of Dance this year and graduating around 60 plus students who have completed their arangetram. 

Guru Smt. Sapna Krishnan congratulated Meena for her outstanding performance and Meena received the award from Lasya School of Dance.  A sumptuous dinner was served at the end of the arangetram, and the stage was filled with the rasikas congratulating the proud parents and the talented young star of the evening, Meena.

No matter how far a person can go, the horizon is still way beyond you. Keep dancing Meena and keep the art alive.  

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