What is an Arangetram
An Arangetram is the solo debut performance of a dancer who has been learning Bharatanatyam for many years and is ready to show their skills on a grand stage. To many, this is seen as a graduation from the beginning stages of dance and onto a higher, professional level.
After one's Arangetram, they are finally allowed to do solo performances on any stage with the consent of their teacher. Accompaniments play a major role in the making of a memorable dance performance.
The dancer is expected to complete an entire "margam" on stage. Traditionally a Margam is a complete series of Bharatanatyam items that are performed in a recital as follows:
SLOKA
(Meaning – In praise of a Hindu Deity. This is the opening piece in which the dancer offers respects to the lord, teacher and the audience and (s)he does Namaskaram).
ALARIPU
Meaning- (Flowering bud) is traditionally the first dance piece that Bharatanatyam dancers learn and perform in this type of classical dance recital. It is an invocatory item and is made up of footwork and uses head gestures and eye gestures.
JATHISWARAM
This is a pure dance item with intricate foot work and does not involve any Abhinaya or expression of moods.
VARNAM
This is the most important piece in any recital and involves Jathi Korvais and Theermanams and a theme is elaborated with Abhinaya depending upon the Varnam chosen.
PADAM
These are songs of different composers chosen for Abhinaya. They involve very little footwork and mainly use Mudhras and facial expressions to bring out the mood in the song.
TILANA
A fast and lively dance, which traditionally concludes a Bharathanatyam recital. The piece also contains a short dedication to a particular Deity.
MANGALAM
A short traditional farewell item, thanking the audience. It is performed in a spirit of gratitude for the welfare and prosperity of the world.
About bharatanatyam and our journey...
Aditi Shanbhag
Aditi Shanbhag is a 14-year old Freshman at Foothill Technology High School who has done dance for 8 years. She is very passionate about music and the arts, and combines this with her sharp memory and strong work ethic to make the most of her career as a dancer. Outside of dance, Aditi maintains strong academics and pursues other sports such as tennis and martial arts, while also participating in extracurricular activities like Model UN. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and reading books of all kind. Aditi wants to use her time in high school to help contribute to her community.
Saanvi Joshi
Saanvi Joshi is an 8th grader at Cabrillo Middle School, located right by the beach in Ventura, California. She has done many forms of dance from a young age, dabbling in ballet, learning Irish tap dancing, and of course, pursuing Bharatnatyam. She has always had a passion for music and the arts, being a multifaceted dancer and a talented flute player who plays for her schools highest band. Saanvi also enjoys all sorts of sports. She is a zealous tennis player and a member of her schools volleyball team. In the future she hopes to graduate from a good college and work in veterinary or marine sciences.
Aadhya Bavkar
Aadhya Bavkar is a 14-year-old high school freshman. She began her dance journey at the age of 3 with Russian ballet. She loves to be challenged and that pursuit inspired her to learn Bharatnatyam. While Ballet gave her the wings to fly; Bharatnatyam keeps her grounded to her Indian roots.
Outside the studio, Aadhya is an avid math and science enthusiast. Since 7th grade, she is an active member of a local non-profit dedicated to spreading STEM technologies to schools in need. She also loves spending time with her robotics team. She hopes to continue in all her passions and some day make a meaningful impact on society.
Nartan School of Dance
The guru Mrs. Khushbu Dalsania is a dedicated dancer and teacher in the acknowledged dance of Bharatanatyam, Tanjavoor style. 10 yrs of rigorous training in Bharatanatyam has enhanced her inherent talent and transformed her into an accomplished dancer by sheer grace, rhythm and fluidity. The artist in her blossomed into a dedicated teacher after she attained Shiksha Visharad and Upandhya Vishaarad in dance from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, Miraj-India. She is the pioneer of the branch for Arya Dance Academy in Cherryhill, NJ. She taught Classical and Bollywood dance to over 200 students at the Cherryhill location from 2003-2008 including 15 Aarangetrams and numerous trophies under her. After a 5 yrs maternity break, Khushbu is all set to teach Indian classical Dance in California. Nartan School of Bharatnatyam was established in 2003 as a part of AryaDanceAcademy and has 18 graduate students who finished their Aarangetram under Guru Khushbu Dalsania at New Jersey location. In 2014, Nartan School was reestablished in the new location in Camarillo, California. With the new energy of sunny california and enthusiasm of little girls, soon Nartan blossomed into a beautiful community of little Happy Feet.