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Sahalakala valli Amazing Ananya!

Sahalakala valli Amazing Ananya!

Ananya Raj Sudarshan, a ten-year-old student and the daughter of Rajalakshmi and Sudharshan, gave a three-hour solo Bharatanatyam Arangetram performance at Vani Mahal Chennai on June 5th in the presence of the esteemed chief guest Kalaimamani Smt Anita Guha and Woodside Auditorium Palo Alto on August 14th 2022.

She has been learning the ancient and revered form of Bharatanatyam, for the last seven and a half years from Guru Smt Lavanya Gopal, Artistic Director of Kalanityam School of Bharathanatyam San Jose California. 

Ananya performed nine dance pieces depicting the range of the Bharatanatyam repertoire, incorporating the three elements of 'Nritta', 'Nritya' and 'Natya. The accompanying orchestra featured talented local artists, Shruthi Aravindan (vocal), Mihir Ganeshan (Mridangam), and Shree Susheela Narasimhan (violin) Chethan Ananth (flute) and Akshay Aravindhan (Nattuvanar). Ananya's performance received a standing ovation from the audience, artists, fellow students of Kalanityam and other well-wishers. 

The audience responded enthusiastically to Ananya's performance as she displayed her mastery of the nine traditional Arangetram pieces. The program started with a Vandemataram as it was the eve of Indian Independence Day. Ananya made her entrance with a jog Pushpanjal and offered namaskars to the Lord of Dance Nataraja. In the next piece, Gangai Kavithuvam the dancer showcased the greatness of the ganges to the audience.

Ananya demonstrated the narrative and expressive aspects of the dance form in the Abang, by evoking the devotee's sentiments of love and bhakthi to Lord Vittala. This was followed by a fifty-minute Varnam on Lord Rama. Varnam is the traditional test of the performer's mastery of the dramatic elements through coordination of facial expression, hand gestures and intricate footwork. Ananya executed Bhavayami Raghuramam varnam flawlessly by portraying 20 different characters in 10 different stories. For this she got a standing ovation from the audience.

The items following the Intermission included a snake dance, Hanuman Chalisa followed by Chitra Nrithyam, Perani nrithyam or dance on a pot followed by a beautiful Bhoopalam thillana. Ending with Mangalam, the performance captured the spirit and beauty of the art. Ananya did her parents, family, Guru and well-wishers proud by her awe-inspiring performance at both her Arangetrams.

Special Wishes from Arasan to Ananya for her sincere and dedicated efforts. Your commitment has been exemplary and your hard work is an inspiration to everyone around you. Well done

-Sheela Ramanan