In the month of July 2012, Deeksha Sarin, Puja Sarma and Raashika Goyal, students from Lasya School of Dance and disciples of Guru Sapna Krishnan performed their Bharatanatyam Arangetram at Ashland High School auditorium, MA. The audience was treated to an outstanding performance when the three young dancers performed together with great mastery, coordination and synchronization of their movements. Guru sapna Krishnan with her unique and refreshing choreography successfully brought the best out of all the three performers during the Arangetram of Puja, Deeksha and Raashika.

The program began with the three dancers performing a crisp Pushpanjali followed by the Alarippu. This was followed by solo performances by the students. The first, Natesha Kauthuvam, was performed by Puja Sarma. The appearance and qualities of Shiva were portrayed admirably. The second item, Krishna Kauthuvam, was performed by Raashika Goyal. The playfulness of Krishna and his innocent, young face were winningly depicted. The third item, Karthikeya Kauthuvam, was performed by Deeksha Sarin. Deeksha  showed the gracefulness and vanity of the peacock beautifully.

The main attraction of the evening was the central piece, Varnam that was performed with great finesse.  The dancers jointly portrayed the role of different characters and entranced the audience by immersing them into three great mythological stories. The story of ‘Draupadi Vastrahranam, Bhakta Prahlada and Gajendra Moksham ‘ are portrayed with intense Abhinaya and amazing choreography. The portrayal of Narasimha portrayed by Raashika, rip open the belly of Hiranyakashyapu portrayed by Puja , won appreciation and applause from the captivated  audience . Deeksha displayed the magnificence of the elephant king Gajendra in Gajendra Moksham. This was a followed by a Meera Bhajan, “Hari tum Haro” formatted into a varnam by the vocalist Mr. Sudev Warrier.

The whole program was well supported by three musicians from India. Mr Sudev Warrier with his divine voice, Mr.Sudhaman on Mridangam , with his powerful performance and percussion skills and Mr. Pathanjali on flute with his clear, melodious rendering . They took the audience to a different realm of musical experience. The program was also supported by Mrs. Bhavadharini Anantharaman on Veena who showed that she is a very talented and versatile artist. Guru Sapna Krishnan on Nattuvangam was well appreciated by her choice of items and beautiful choreography.

The second half of the program delighted the audience with three Kirthanams.The first one, Bho Shambo, performed by Deeksha Sarin, literally radiated the energy and swiftness of Shiva. The dancer’s startling black and red costume also helped to create the desired effect. The second krithi, Julat Radha, was a charming dance in which Puja Sarma illustrated the love of Radha for Krishna. In the third kirthanam, Omkarakarini, Raashika Goyal, admirably portrayed the power of Goddess Durga.
 
The Thillana, in Ragam Dhanashree, performed by all three dancers gave a brilliant finale to the recital .This was immediately followed Mangalam which honored all the elements and offered their respects to the Guru, musicians and the audience.

This Arangetram was an important milestone for Puja, Raashika and Deeksha before entering their college life this fall. Guru Sapna Krishnan while appreciating the student’s hard work and efforts for the debut performance said the whole event was her ‘gift’ to her disciples. The dance performances by the three students created a lasting impression on the audience and the three dancers proved that they can bloom into versatile dancers in the future.

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