Arangetram programs and the program descriptions may vary based on the dance forms as well as the Guru / the customizations the Guru makes
Bharatanatyam Arangetram
Bharatanatyam is a 3000 year old art form that originated in Tamil Nadu, the southern part of India. Bharatha naatyam usually tells the mythological stories about deities and praising their deeds and kindness. Natya shastra is an ancient Indian treatise for drama, dance and music. Accordingly, the classical dance should have three components, “nritta”, “nritya” and “natya”. Nritta is defined as a pure dance form with beats (thala) and time measures ( laya). Nritya conveys the message to the audience through facial expressions, body gestures and movements. Natya is a combination of both nritta and nritya.
A Bharathanatyam dancer would not express the completeness of the art form unless respecting profoundly the techniques and the spiritual life. When the dancer expresses the message through movements and facial expressions, it connects the souls of the dancer and the participant.
Bharathanatyam Arangetram is a debut performance of a student with her guru’s teachings. The guru decides that the student is ready to perform the complex pieces of the art form in front of an audience. It is a ceremony celebrating the dedication of learning the true art form of Bharatanatyam.
PROGRAM / Margam – Sequence of Dances
- Gnana Sabesa Sthothram
It is customary for Hindus to worship Lord Ganesh to get His blessings first, before starting any event. The dancer offers flowers to the God and pays respects to the Guru, musicians and the Audience.
Ragam: Nattai Thalam: Adi
- Alarippu
Alarippu(meaning flowering bud) is traditionally the first dance piece that a dancer learns and performs in a classical dance recital. It is based on rhythm with no abhinaya.
Thalam: Tishra Ekam
It is a complex number consisting of amazing postures and more complex footwork woven to rhythmic syllables. Jathis (rhythmic pieces danced to narrated syllables) are executed combining swara passages (musical scores) in a particular raga and tala.
Ragam: Saveri Thalam: Rupakam Composer: Tanjavur Quartet
- Shabdam
This is a dance item with both rhythmic foot work and expressions ( Nritha and abhinaya). In this Shabdam, Bala Krishna’s stories and his mischievous deeds are described.
Ragam: Ragamalika Thalam:Misra chapu Composer: Tanjore Quartet
- Varnam
It is a relatively long piece and contains many more complex steps and expressions. It is the centerpiece in a recital of a Bharathanatya dance. This Abhogi varnam describes the handsome Lord Muruga who dwells in the divine city of Senthil Maanagar, He chanted the vedha the holy mantra ‘Ohm” into the ears of the Almighty- Lord Shiva.
Ragam: Abhogi Thalam: Adi Composer: Pandanallur Srinivasan
(special performance will go here , specially composed for the show)
- Thillana
Thillana consists of complicated movements and stances. The Sahityam of this Brindavani ragam Thillana describes the beauty of Lord Krishna’s magical flute and how mesmerizing it is to hear his graceful tunes.
Ragam: Brindavani Thalam: Adi. Composer: Mangalampalli BalamuraliKrishna
- Mangalam
It signifies the ending of the recital where the dancers again thank the God, guru and the audience for making the performance a success.
Ragam: Sourashtra Thalam: Adi