Years of hard work, dedication,  sincerity and practice culminates in an Arangetram. It is a ‘dream come true’ for the parents and the teacher to see a child blossom and complete the initial training in dance. New England area is fortunate to have talented teachers and students and is in par with India in terms of the number of Arangetrams presented every year. Arangetram is a huge commitment for the dancer who has to juggle around with many activities along with academic challenges. On September 1st we saw one such dedicated dancer Meyyammai  Muthu in her maiden performance under the guidance of her Guru Smt. Thenu Raajan the creative director of Apsaras Academy of Arts.  

Performance was preceded by a slide show highlighting Meyya’s dance career and heart warming speeches by Meyya’s parents and her grandparents which clearly showed their pride in their daughter/grand daughter’s progress.

Meyya began her performance confidently with a Pushpanjali in Raagam Gambeera Nattai in Adi Talam, a composition of Sri Madurai R Muralidharan.  Meyya’s rendering of the Pushpanjali with ease showed her intense practice.

This was followed by a famous Kriti,  a composition of Sri Ooothakadu Venkata Subbaiyar - Aananda Narthana Ganapathim in Ragam Natai, Talam Adi. A vibrant Kriti aesthetically choreographed by Guru Thenu Raajan was well presented.  

Jathiswaram in Raagam Saveri, Rupaka Thalam, composed by Tanjore Quartet and Natesha Kauthvam in Raagam Hamsadhawani, Adi taalam, a composition of Sri Gangaimuthu Nattuvanar was well received. Natesha Kauthuvam ended with a very well executed pose of lord Nataraja.

Following this was a short break when the audience were treated to a musical extravaganza by Meyya’s brother Master Ganesh, student of Sri Raajan Narayanan. He presented some heart warming musical numbers. Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai stood out.

Mark of a dancer is determined by her presentation of Varnam which is a complex piece in a Bharathanatyam repertoire which tests the dancer’s ability and stamina to present Nritta and Abhinaya. Varnam chosen for this evening was Aadum Mayil in Ragam Sudha Dhanyasi, Talam Adi, a composition of Sri Madurai R Muralidharan. Meyya performed this piece on Lord Muruga with poise and confidence. She was able to do justice to the lyrics and the essence, required of this item. Meyya demonstrated a deep understanding of the Ithikasas, especially when illustrating the Sancharis.

Post Interval session included rare kritis Aadi Kondar in Ragam Mayamalavagowla, Adi talam composed by Muthuthandavar, Aadinaye Kanna in Ragam Mohana Kayani, Adi Talam composed by Ambujam Krishna, Sri chakraraja in Ragamlika, Adi talam composed by Sage Agasthya and Thillana in Ragam Chandrakauns, Adi Talam composition of Sri Madhurai R Muralidharan and a foot tapping Mangalam in Kavadi Chindu which was a fitting finale to this grand recital.

This session saw Meyya fully warmed up as she portrayed various moods effectively be it Aananda Thandavam of Lord Shiva in Aadi Kondar, or a playful Krishna in Aadinaye Kaana,or a composed Devi in Sri Chakra Raja.   

Musical ensemble comprising of Vocalists Sri Raajan Narayanan and Sri Akshay Padmanabhan, Mridangist Sri Hari Rangaswamy, Flutist Sri Narasimhamurthy Mishra and Violinist Sri Surya Sundararajan  rendered an excellent musical support. Aesthetically chosen songs  gave the audience a wide variety. Nattuvangam by Guru  Smt Thenu Rajan  was an icing on the cake. Her rendition of the Jathis  was flawless. The musical bit played by flutist Sri Narasimhamurthy  Misra in Kavadi Chindu  for the  finale was mesmerizing.  

Arangetram is just a beginning of a dance career. Our sincere wishes to Meyya and may she continue her journey in discovering dance further. May this bring her happiness and success in her life.

 

|