Upcoming Events
Sahana Rajesh's Bharatanatyam ArangetramSat, Aug 25Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center
Bharathanatyam Arangetram
Indian Classical Dance Debut
3:30 pm Appetizers, 4:15 pm Seating, 4:30 pm Dance Program, 7:30pm Dinner
Program Details
Pushpanjali
Raagam - Hamsadwani
Thalam - Adi
Pushpanjali is the opening dance of the Arangetram. During this dance, the student presents an offering of flowers to the Lord Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, and then proceeds to seek his blessings and that of the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. She then seeks the forgiveness of Mother Earth for dancing upon her. This Pushpanjali is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and learning, as well as the remover of all obstacles.
Gajananayutham
Raagam - Chakravakam (Veghavahini)
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar
Created by the renowned composer Shri Muthuswami Dikshithar, this song sings the praise of Lord Ganesha, Lord of Good Fortune. He is the lord of beginings and the remover of obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds. The dancer prays to the Lord to grant all of her wishes and shower her with blessings.
Jathiswaram
Raagam - Bahudari
Thalam - Adi
The Jathiswaram is a combination of musical notes, called “Swarams”, and rhythmic syllables called “Jathis”. This piece is eschews Abhinaya(emotion), instead showcasing the dancer’s mastery of Nritta(also called pure dance). It contains a carefully choreographed selection of intricate footwork, blended with equally complex and mesmerizing rhythm and song.
Daru Varnam - Mathe Malayadwaja
Raagam - Kamas
Thalam - Adi
Composer - H.N. Muttayyah Bhaagavatar
The varnam is the centerpiece of the arangetram. It consists of a carefully crafted balance of both Nritta(pure dance) and Abhinaya(emotion). This Daru varnam (story Ballad) portrays the story of Devi, from her birth, to her marriage to Lord Siva,and to her slaying of Chanda and Munda, the fierce demons. Interspersed with scintillating jathis(varying beats of the rhythm cycle), this piece extols the greatness of Devi as the compassionate mother and the enchanting empress of all the three worlds.
Kavadi Chindu - Azhagu Daivam
(preceded by Valli Kalyanam)
Raagam - Senchurutti
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Periasami Thooran
This piece is a folk song dedicated to Lord Subramanya. It consists of light and upbeat rhythms throughout the composition. It is preceded by the Valli Kalyanam, which tells the humorous story of the first meeting and eventual marriage of the forest princess Valli and Lord Muruga.
Padam - Sankara Srigiri
Raagam - Hamsanadi
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Maharaja Swati Tirunal
This item is danced in praise of Lord Siva. It portrays him dancing in his abode on Mount Kailash. From all corners of the heavens, the celestials gather to watch this captivating display, playing their instruments to the rhythm of this masterpiece. Shankara Srigiri is a masterful combination of both Jathis and Abhinaya, channeling the cosmic energy of the timeless God of the Universe.
Meera Bhajan - Hari Tum Haro
Raagam - Darbari Kanada
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Meera Bhai
Hari Tum Haro is a beautiful composition by Meera Bhai, one of Krishna's most ardent devotees. This song describes her deep devotion as she pleads with the lord to remove the sufferings of all. She says, "You protected the honor of Draupadi, and saved her from embarassment, you assumed the form of Narasimha to save little Prahalad, you rescued the drowning elephant Gajendra from the evil clutches of the crocodile, Oh Giridhara, when will you come to protect me."
Tillana - Kalinga Nardanam
Raagam - Sindhubairavi
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Oothukadu Venkatakavi
The Tillana, sung in Sindhubairavi, in praise of Lord Krishna, is an upbeat, fast-paced piece, and a great example of the rhythmic complexity of Carnatic music. "Kalinga Narthana" refers to a popular mythological story in which the God Krishna, as a young boy, danced on the serpent kalinga to stop him from poisoning the Yamuna river, thereby granting eternal happiness to Lord Narada.
Mangalam - Harivarasanam
Raagam - Madhyamavathi
Thalam - Adi
Composer - Kambangudi Kulathur Srinivas Iyer
The mangalam is the final piece in the arangetram repetoire. In this piece, the dancer expresses her thanks to Mother Earth, God, the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. This mangalam is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the central deity of the Sabari Hills in the state of Kerala.
