Bharatanatyam Arangetramof

Prachi BhavsarJune 9th, 2018

Palm Beach Gardens High School Auditorium

II SHREE GANESHAYA NAMAH II II SHREE SWAMINARAYAN NAMAH II

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms in the Indian culture known for

its grace, expressions, and interpretive nature. It is rooted in the principles laid out in

Natyashastra, also known as the Panchama Veda or Natya Veda, by Sage Bharata in 200

BC. Interestingly, the word Bharatanatyam is an acronym synthesis of its aesthetic

components- Bhava (Emotions), Raga (Melody), Tala (Rhythm), and Natyam (simplest

meaning being Expression).

Arangetram is a ceremonial graduation performance

presenting the skill, endurance, and dedication of a

shishya. Today's ceremony marks an important

milestone in Prachi's journey, as it presents the

culmination of several years of commitment and

intensive training, yet is the beginning of her journey

into this divine art form.

Bharatanatyam

Arangetram

Smt. Rangapriya Nagaraj, Director- Narthana Dance School Inc, is an acclaimed

dance teacher in South Florida. She is privileged to have nurtured the love for this

art form from gurus like none other than Achaarya Ratnakara Smt. Anitha Guha &

Late Smt. Jayalakshmi Narayanan, thus blending Pandanallur and Vazhuvoor styles

of the art form.

At a very young age of 11, she performed in countries like Singapore,

Malaysia and Thailand. There was no turning back ever since she and

continues to dance for diverse audiences in South Florida in

collaborative works like Rejuvenation, Jagruthi, Chithram, Anvita, and

Surya, to name a few.

Priya Nagaraj is credited with introducing this classical art form as a

Credit course in Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton and had the

privilege of providing training to graduate students as an Adjunct Faculty,

Department of Theater and Dance.

She has presented this divine art in the form of Lecture-Demonstrations

at various organizations like APAI, Broward County Public Schools and

County Libraries, and Barnes and Noble in South Florida, creating cultural awareness. She encourages,

motivates her students by encouraging them to perform at various cultural events like Asian Cultural

Festival, events in Miami, Varshikotswam organized by Shiva Vishnu Temple, AIA- South Florida Chapter,

International Women's Organization, PBIA India Fest etc. She has been part of various fundraiser events

organized by local organizations like Ekal Vidyalaya, Aim for Seva- South Florida Chapter & Spandana.

Apart from being well trained in Bharatanatyam, she is also trained in Carnatic music and is currently training

young kids in both art forms.

Priya Nagaraj has a Master’s in Social Work and is settled with her family in Parkland, Florida.

The Guru

Prachi Bhavsar has been learning Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Smt.

Rangapriya Nagaraj as a student of Narthana Dance School for over ten

years. She has always been fascinated by dance, as it opens up a whole new

world full of expression and beauty unique to every dancer. Although Prachi

has trained in various dance styles including Ballet, Raas, Garba,

Bollywood, and Bhangra, Bharatanatyam holds a very special

place in her heart, as she describes her experience having not

only helped her become a better dancer, but also having helped

her develop the key skills of determination and perseverance.

She has performed for the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple,the Ekal

Vidyalaya Foundation, Florida Atlantic University, PBIA Diwali and

IndiaFest, the Shiva Vishnu Temple, and various other events.

Aside from dancing, Prachi recently graduated from Suncoast Community High School in

the top 8% of her class and earned her diploma in the Math, Science, and Engineering

Program. She has interned at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

. She was one of the main forces in

putting together the Heritage Assembly at her high school to raise funds for

victims in Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricanes and is an avid

member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu

Alpha Theta, and Suncoast’s Cross Country Team. In the fall, Prachi

will be attending the University of Florida through the Honors

Program for Biomedical Engineering on a Pre-Med track with a goal

of entering the medical field.

researching neural circuitry in the brain

The Shishya

PushpanjaliRagam: Arabhi Talam: Adhi

Composer : Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna

Pushpanjali is an invocatory piece in Bharatanatyam repertoire, literally meaning “the offering of flowers.” This dance consists of Nritta interspersed with minimal abhinaya in which the dancer seeks the blessings of God, her Guru, and the esteemed guests.

AllarippuTalam: Mishra Chapu

Allarippu, meaning a flowering bud, is a traditional invocatory piece performed as symbol of respect to God, Guru and the esteemed guests. This piece is devoid of any lyrical significance and is solely performed to Jathis, or rhythmic syllables, sung by Nattuvanaar.

JathiswaramRagam: Kalyani Talam: Adhi

Composer: Guru Dandayudhapani Pillai

Jathiswaram is a pure Nritta dance choreographed to musical notes. The enchanting exposition of melodic and visual lines is the essence of Jathiswaram, characterized by linear and angular lines. The dancer weaves through cross rhythms and Adavu Korvais, or sequences, which culminate in Teermanams or concluding triple flourishes.

The Program

KouthvamRagam: Hamsadwani Talam: Adhi

Kouthvam is composed of poetic phrases in praise of the presiding deity. Today’s Kouthvam is in praise of Lord Nataraja- the presiding deity of Chidambaram.

Varnam Ragam: Ragamalika Talam: Adhi

Composer: Sri. Jeyadeva

Varnam, meaning to describe and delineate, is the main piece of the Bharatanatyam Arangetram. It is the litmus test for the student to excel in both Abhinaya and the pure Nritta aspect of Bharatanatyam. This classical marvel epitomizes the ten incarnations of Lord Maha Vishnu.

- Dasavatharam

Intermission

Padam- Chaliye Kunjanamo

Ragam: Brindavana Saranga Talam: Adi

Composer: Sri. Mharaja Swathi Thirunal

Chaliye Kunjanamo is a padam in which the composer extols the dreamy Gopika visualizing herself romancing Lord Krishna in the beautiful Vrindavan.

Bhajan - Jivu Chhu Rasila Tara

“Jivu Chhu Rasila Tara” is an enchanting Bhajan with simplistic lyrics and rich in divinity. The Bhajan awakens the virtuous qualities of Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan in the listeners and the performer alike.

ThillanaRangam: Revathi Talam: Adi

Composer: Sri. Madurai R Krishnan

Thillana is an exuberant dance reveling in rhythmic joyful movements along with fast paced, pure Nritta choreographed to sculpturesque poses, culminating in sets.

MangalamMangalam is a short prayer wishing prosperity and peace to all. It signifies the auspicious conclusion of today’s arangetram. The dancer expresses her gratitude to God, her Guru and the accompanying musicians, and not but least, the audience.

Choreography & Nattuvangam : Guru Smt. Rangapriya NagarajVocal : Sri. Madhu ChandrasekarMridangam : Sri. Shankaranarayanan SubramanianViolin : Sri. Sanjay ChandranFlute : Sri. Prashant KallurMasters of Ceremony : Mrs. Madhavi Menon

Proud Parents : Kajal and Hemant Bhavsar Grand Parents : Ramaben and Bhanuprasad BhavsarBrother : Nihar Bhavsar

Best Wishes From

Accompanists