Massachusetts enjoys an evening of Bharatnatyam

On a beautiful fall evening in September, blue skies and a slight cool breeze welcomed people to the Bharatnatyam Arangetram (solo dance debut) of 14-year-old Anvitha Addanki, daughter of Chandana and Vijay Addanki, at the Sharon Middle School in Sharon, Massachusetts.
Anvitha began learning the ancient and revered dance form of Bharatnatyam from Guru Smt. Poornima Risbud, founder and creative director of Rasarang School of Performing Arts, at the tender age of five.
The event commenced with a welcome address from Anvitha's parents. The recital itself began with Pushpanjali, a traditional opening dance in which the dancer offers flowers to seek the blessings of the deity of dance Nataraja, the Guru, and accompanying artists, as well as the audience. The Pushpanjali, set to an 8-beat cycle, was followed by 'Shri Vighna Rajam Bhaje', a prayer in praise of Lord Ganesha.
A very colorful invocational piece, called Mayura Alarippu, followed. This was inspired by the movements of a peacock. Alarippu is usually taught at the beginning of Bharatnatyam training and is considered a warm up piece for the dancer. Anvitha executed the movements and rhythmic steps with elegance.
She performed the Jathiswaram, which is an abstract dance devoid of any Abhinaya (emotions). It displayed her versatility in the elaborate footwork and graceful movements, and brought out the three aspects of dance - unity of music, tempo and elegant movements.
This was followed by the Shabdam, in which she beautifully depicted Lord Krishna playful teasing of the gopikas. The audience was mesmerized to see the teenager’s expressive abhinaya or facial expressions. The Varnam concluded the first half of the Arangetram.
The second half began with Mahadeva Shiva Shambo. Anvitha depicted the divine features, physical appearance and celestial qualities of Lord Shiva, the God of dance. She described Him as a protector of all people, rich and poor. She portrayed the grace and feminine energy of Goddess Parvathi.
The Muddugare Yashoda, a keerthana by Annamacharya in praise of Lord Krishna, followed. In her performance, Anvitha compared Krishna to each of the nine gems. A highly energetic and joyful Thillana in Ragam Vasanthi followed, with sahithyam in praise of Lord Hanuman.
Concluding the recital, Anvitha performed to 'Koluvai Vunnade' and 'Andhela Ravamidhi', songs from the award-winning movie 'Swarna Kamalam'. She thanked Lord Nataraja, her Guru, the accompanying musicians and audience in her Mangalam.

The musicians for the program brought the event to life. Sri EP Sudev Warrier, who provided the vocals for the program, mesmerized the audience with his deep voice. Sri KS Sudhaman, a well-known mridangam artist from Kerala engaged the audience with his lively beats. To render a female voice for the final dance, Smt. Vijaya Kondapi joined in with her sweet melodious singing. Kum. Varshini Narayanan on the flute provided a beautiful accompaniment. Guru Smt. Poornima Risbud accompanied on the Nattuvangam.
The spell-binding performance was the perfect confluence of grace, talent and reflected a deep understanding of the traditional dance form. It was a showcase of the skills of both the teacher and the student.