I felt so privileged to watch Ms. Soumya Rajaram perform for Spandha school of dance monthly dance concert series, on Friday, the 28th of February. She shared with us 7 amazing dances, beginning with a Pushpanjali which was fast paced but delicate. She was treating each movement like a baby, softly but with perfect posture and aramandi.

This was followed by a padam “ Teruvil varano”. This was about the heroine’s anticipation to see her Lord Nataraja who passes by her street. She hopes that her lord gives her a glance and so she gets dressed up hoping to see him. Here aunty portrayed the emotion of the lady in anticipation and show her hope, excitement, and disappointment if in case Lord fails to notice her. I could see her tidying up the place hoping the Lord would come in.

The third Item was a Kriti on Goddess Meenakshi “ Devi Neeyai tunai”. Here aunty showed immense devotion towards the goddess.  We could see her total involvement in the dance. It was slower than the first, but each minute was amazing. Her facial expressions were flawless, and her fan was opening as wide as it could. She created a clear picture of the goddess in my mind.

This was followed by “Yaarukagilum Bayama” Why should I fear someone? This was my favorite item. It was about a girl, who overhears her friends gossiping about her and her lover. She tells them that even if they gossip about her and her lover, their relationship will not change, and she won’t care. This dance to me felt so real, and she did an amazing job expressing her emotions. Decorating the house, dressing herself up, and waiting anxiously most of all.
In the next item “Mugathai Kaatiye” poet is asking the god, why does he not show himself,  but only his foot? He is desperate to see the Lord completely. He has a conversation with God about this. Poet is a great devotee and is completely at Lord’s service but he aspires to see the Lord. Soumya aunty portrayed both Bhakthi and desperation  so well.

The next  item was “Taaye Yashodha” in which the women  of Brindavan were complaining to Yashoda about the mischiefs of Krishna. I could relate very well to this dance. Here the Gopi complains to Yashodha that Krishna was not ordinary child. She held him thinking him to be a child but Krishna kissed her on her lips. I could follow exactly what was being conveyed.

The last dance Thillana was a stunning performance which was fast-paced and vivid.  It was rhythmic  with perfect hand movements and Aramandi.

Throughout the performance aunty made it very interesting and there was never a dull moment. Thank you Soumya Aunty for the performance. It was an honor to watch your beautiful dancing.

Details of Soumya Rajaram:

Soumya Rajaram is a well-known and an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer in the Boston area.

Soumya began her training at Kalakshetra Foundation, a premier institute for the classical arts. After graduating at the top of her class she continued her advanced training under Guru. Smt. Savithri Jagannatha Rao (a famous alum of Kalakshetra) and was chosen by her teacher to accompany her in a variety of lecture demonstrations.

Soumya has been recognized, and has been graded artist by the state television in India and has given solo and group performances for the state television. She is also a recipient of the prestigious “Senior Arts Scholarship” from the Government of India for advanced training in Bharatanatyam. She has given solo recitals in the prestigious December Music and Dance festival in Chennai, India. The principal festival of its kind, it attracts the largest audience base from across India and overseas.

Soumya has trained, worked and collaborated with many of today’s leading dancers of Bharatanatyam and has blossomed as a sensitive and mature dancer.

In the USA, she has performed for the New England Hindu Temple Inc., Ashland, MA at their fundraiser events, Kumabhishekam, Navarathri and Nrithyanajli festivals. Her annual solo recital that showcases traditional numbers is received with critical acclaim.

She was invited to conduct workshops at the Peabody Essex Museum (Peabody, MA) and to perform at the dance forum of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has worked with Navarasa Dance Theater in one of their popular productions. She actively collaborates with other dancers in the Boston area and is an enthusiastic participant in propagating Indian Classical music and dance in the Boston area.

Soumya runs ‘Samskrithi School of dance’ where she teaches Bharatantayam for students of all ages at Bedford and Lexington, MA. You can contact her at samskrithi.boston@gmail.com or 781 266 6658.

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