A unique Arangetram of four dancers

by Annalaksmy Rajadurai

The Bharathanatyam Arangetram of four students of Kalai Chelvi, Naatya Kalaamani Nirmala John took place at The New Kathiresan Hall, Colombo 4 recently. Manasa Manivannan, Prashangi Chandrasegarm, Shankavi Anandaraja and Nalinaselvi Sagdevan were the students who performed their Arangetram.

Colombo stages have seen plenty of Bharathanatyam Arangetrams. In each of these only a single Bharathanatyam dancer would present her Arangetram and bring out her latent talents.

However, the dance teacher Nirmala John's Arangetram of four of her students on a single stage appeared to be an unusually different event. And it was a glorious one.

The dance arrangements had been patterned very meticulously by the teacher to project the individual talents of each dancer.

When the dancers began their Arangetram on a artistically designed stage where Lord Ganesha was enthroned, paying homage to him with piety and artistic reverence, the hall took a sublime grandeur.

While the music composer Sri Arunanthy Aruran sang the songs with his sweet resounding voice, and teacher Nirmala John performed choreography, the dance program became a soothing treat to the eyes and mind. Aruran was followed by IssaiKalaimani Dharanie Rajkumar with her songs After the homage to Lord Ganesha. Alarippu in Misra Thalawas performed very well.

Following the dance depicting the nine corners of devotion to God, the Varnam took place.

It served to bring out vividly the individual talents, competence and subtle emotions of each of the four dancers.

The dance composition was that of Nirmala John herself. Sankavi Anandaraja danced majestically and daintily to Thurkai Amman's song in Revathi Ragam and enthralled the audience.

Next Sivathandavam was performd by Nalinaselvi Sagadevan with skilfully enticing foot movements followed by Manasa Manivannan who danced sweetly with touching facial expressions to words 'Clouds, won't you tell me a message?'Prashangi Chandrasegaram's Javali dance in Kamas Thala was done well with expressive 'bhava' Varnam which was performed for almost 50 minutes provided well the good opportunity for these dancers to bring out their great proficiency in the dance.

Their dance costumes were also aptly designed.

The musical score provided by Isai Kalaimani V. Thibakaran (violin), Isai Kalaimani V.Jambunathan(mirudangam), Visharatha RatnamRatnadurai (thalatharangam), and Shri Priyantha Dissanayake (flute) gave tremendous strength to the program.

The students are those who received certificates after completing their mandatory course in Bharathanatyam at Nirmalanjali, academy of Bharatanatyam of Nirmala John, according to the course structure of KalaiKaviri, College of Fine Arts, India.

Prof. S. Madan Kumar of Kalai Kaviri, College of Fine Arts, India, was the special guest.

He praised dance teacher Nirmala John for having chiselled the four dancers like a great sculptor who perfects his work of art with fine precision.Prof. Ariyarathne Kaluarachchi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, the chief guest, said that the students have acquired the strength and stamina to perform Bharathanatyam and said Nirmala John's hard work and dedication is immensely praiseworthy.

V.Jambunathan(mirudangam), Visharatha RatnamRatnadurai (thalatharangam), and Shri Priyantha Dissanayake (flute) gave tremendous strength to the program.

The students are those who received certificates after completing their mandatory course in Bharathanatyam at Nirmalanjali, academy of Bharatanatyam of Nirmala John, according to the course structure of KalaiKaviri, College of Fine Arts, India.

Prof. S. Madan Kumar of Kalai Kaviri, College of Fine Arts, India, was the special guest.

He praised dance teacher Nirmala John for having chiselled the four dancers like a great sculptor who perfects his work of art with fine precision.

Prof. Ariyarathne Kaluarachchi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, the chief guest, said that the students have acquired the strength and stamina to perform Bharathanatyam, and said Nirmala John's hard work and dedication is immensely praiseworthy.

The guest of honour Kalakirthi Shanthini Sivanesan said that not only did the program present a different formation, but it was also very commendable.

She commended the four dancers who provided the treat and the teacher who trained them. The guest of honour Kalakirthi Shanthini Sivanesan said that not only did the program present a different formation, but it was also very commendable. She also the four dancers the teacher who trained them.