An offering from the heart is one to be loved and cherished and when it comes in the form of dance and the magical art of Bharatanatyam from a shishya to her guru, it becomes an act of beauty and devotion.  One could see this devotion in the form of a dazzling Arangetram performance by the very talented Saimahima Ciellappa on September 1st, at Ashland Public School.  After winning performances in Boston Sargam and many other programs in the area in both Hindustani and Carnatic music, Saimahima exhibited her talent in Bharatanatyam to Smt. Sapna Krishnan, her guru since 7 years, and an enthralled audience of 300+ people.   

The event began with an offering of flowers Pushpanjali in the ragam Arabhi, where Saimahima sought the blessings of her guru, the audience and Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles.  Next she exhibited her rapid footwork with a Kavutham dedicated to the six headed Lord Muruga, the brother of Ganesha, who swirls his trident, warding off all evil.

Though Bharatanatyam comprises Bhava (Feelings), Raaga (Melody) and Tala (Rhythm), not all dances are easily understood by viewers.  Realizing this Saimahima, demonstrated the essence of some performances before the actual dance.  The next performance was preceded by such a demonstration, with a wonderful narration by the MC, Smt. Arya Shekhar, an eminent area Immigration and Intellectual Property Attorney.  The performance was the ever popular and grand rendition, Brahma Kadigina Padamu describing the lotus feet of Lord Venkateshwara or Vishnu which were washed and respected by Brahma, the creator himself.  Audiences were treated to a splendid display of Nritta – movement, Nritya – dance and Natya - drama where the legend of demon king Mahabali and Vamana, Vishnu in the guise of a brahmana was brought to life by Saimahima.

The most intricate, long and skillful display of an Arangetram is the Varnam.  The legend of the villainous king Kamsa and the celebration of the birth of Krishna was extolled in this Varnam.  Saimahima took this opportunity to display her maturity and skill in this elaborate Varnam.  The finale of this item was the depiction of Krishna dancing on the head of the snake Kalinga. The epic tale of the demon king Mahishasura was next, with his slaying by the Goddess Durga, representing the ultimate feminine force of the universe.

What is a dance performance without a stirring tale of everlasting love and betrayal?  Saimahima presented a lovely Javali a piece of abhinaya. Mixed with slight satire, playful emotion, and a shift in mood and subject, Mahima portrayed a heroine who feels deceived by her lover. She feels miserable and angry as her beloved breaks the very promises he made.  Her versatility in dance and portrayal of both strong love and betrayal were magnificent and the emotion in the audience was palpable.

The penultimate item was on Lord Shiva, aptly bringing out the majesty of his Tandava Nritya.  Adorned with ashes, accompanied by all the gods, the tandava was beautifully presented by Saimahima in this piece composed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunaal.

The final piece was a Tillana with the resounding sound of the maestro Sri Chitti Babu’s veena majestically resonating through the hall.  Saimahima’s resounding footwork and meticulous synchronization with the music was evident in this rendition which was in praise of Goddess Saraswati.

The orchestra for the Arangetram was led by  the guru Smt. Sapna Krishnan providing Nattuvangam, and the team from India comprising  Sudev Warrier, the vocalist, a disciple of Sri.M Balamuralikrishna, the impeccable Sudaman on the mridangam and equally impressive Patanjali on his melodious flute.  Also an important part of this orchestra was the resonant veena, which was played by the eminent local Vainika, Smt Bhavadhaarini Anantaraman, who was initiated into music by Sangeeta Kalanidhi Smt DK Pattammal, the doyenne of Carnatic music.

Saimahima’s Guru, Sapna Krishnan , founder of Lasya School of Dance in Shrewsbury, MA, is very much known for her unique choreography which the audience witnessed through the dance items performed by Sai Mahima. Each item was carefully selected and crafted to perfection by the Guru.

A fitting finale to the Arangetram was the mangalam.  A devout worshipper of Sri Satya Sai Baba, Saimahima ended the grand event with a mangalam written by Baba himself, rendered in pristine Telugu, celebrating the Lord Vishnu who resides in the Universe in form of “Aum”, the omnipresent.

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