shivani arangetram – a visual delight

FOrest LAKE Feb 18, 2023 on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri marked the debut arangetram of Lalitha Kalalaya school of Bharatanatyam’s founder, Guru Padmalakshmi Sriram’s daughter Shivani at St. John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake. In her maiden rendezvous, the dancing gazelle Shivani effectively portrayed her learnings of over 15 years in Bharatanatyam, taking the audience on a journey of visual delight. The state-ofthe-art auditorium had over 600 invitees for the special evening. It was graced by Father Royal Anthony (education director of the Catholic Diocese of Bareilly, India) as its Chief Guest and Honorary consulate of the Indian embassy in Brisbane, Mrs Archana Singh, who has supported the academy for over six years now.

With three spectacular costume changes Shivani transported the audience to an era that is traditional and mystical, timeless and divine, owning her stage presence confidently.

Varnam was the standout piece at this event, which proved her mettle and announced her arrival with fanfare and she received a standing ovation by the end of her arangetram!

The stellar musician cast created a visual spectacle that synced with Shivani’s performance. The melodious and resonating vocals by Sangeet ratna

Shri Sudev Warrier and the genius of mridangam master Shri Mayavaram

T Vishwanathan’s perfect rhythmic timing and Guru Padmalakshmi’s impeccable natuvangam flair, the mesmerising violinist Smt

Narmatha Ravichandira, Shri Venkatesh Sridharan on the flute and Kasturi Sahadevan on the Veena added depth, dimension and life to this recital. They were a perfect congruence of wills and talents.

The evening started with high-energy performances on Mahalakshmi kauthuvam followed by Ganesh alarippu and ended with a vivacious Thillana in praise of Lord Shiva followed by Thirupuzhal and Mangalam and presentation of certificate of achievement.

There were numerous highlights throughout the performance. The audience genuinely connected with Shivani’s abhinaya as Goddess Abhirami and Maa Durga in a truly demanding piece in the Varnam that lasted more than 35 minutes.

The graceful and energetic alternations between abhinaya and so many jathis, Shivani maintained the intensity of the nritta throughout the piece, and the part where the anger of Mahishasuramardini transcends into the divine bliss of Devi- the Divine Mother, was intense to watch. Post Dinner, many in the audience witnessed Shuddh nrittam for the first time in a format where Shivani danced on an earthen pot, at times dancing off and on it suggesting her crisp understanding of the nritta counting pattern. A pure symphony that was set to intensive footwork, skilfully executed to thunderous applause.

The portrayal of the 18 symbolic steps in “Hari Varasanam Ayyappa Alolikam” and the enthralling vocals were beautifully emoted. It transported the rasikas to the sacred sanctum of Sabrimalai.

In the Tulsidas Bhajan “Thumaka

Ramchandra” Shivani’s abhinaya embraced maternal love portraying the ‘Vatsalya Bhava’ that simultaneously portrayed the instinctive knowledge of being in the presence of the Divine; it was brilliant choreography that truly stole the hearts of the audience.

This arangetram validated the faith of proficient dancer and founder of lalitha kalalaya dance academy Guru Padmalakshmi who excels in passing on the nuances of Bharatanatyam to her students.

The entire event was flawless in its execution and was live streamed for loved ones worldwide. Dance vibes were felt right from the artful kolam at the entrance and the detailed table layout of Bharatanatyam costumes and accessories. An Instagram wall that read ‘arangetram’ and a specially created guest book for comments; as one entered the auditorium, the stage was festooned with garlands and a temple-like set-up. The extended team of volunteers and emcees behind the performance excelled in their parts to truly deliver a memorable evening like no other!

By s hrii s hrii a nandamurti 30 December 1966 DMC, Jamalpur

today’s subject of discourse is “Bhágavata Dharma”. The word “bhágavata” means “pertaining to divinity” and dharma means “inherent characteristic”, so Bhágavata dharma means “the way of life which leads to ensconcement in the supreme stance”. Dharma is a natural propensity, an inherent characteristic. It refers to a particular spiritual way of life. Each and every object in this universe has its own innate characteristic, or svabháva (Sva means “own” and bháva means “propensity”). The innate characteristic of fire is to burn whatever it meets. The innate characteristic of human beings is to practise spirituality. To make a clear distinction between spiritual practice and the other natural tendencies of mind in the mundane sense, such as eating and sleeping, the term “Bhágavata dharma” is used to describe the higher tendencies. Bhágavata dharma refers to the innate tendency which leads human beings towards the Supreme Entity, which arouses in them a spontaneous love and attraction for the Supreme Entity. In fact, in each and every human being there is love and attraction for the Supreme Entity. The human being who does not feel this attraction hardly deserves to be called a human being. Such a being is no better than a subhuman, although in human form. It is bhágavata dharma that clearly distinguishes human beings from animals. Even a thief who feels love for the Supreme Entity in the core of his heart, merits being called a human being. But a so-called virtuous person or a man of knowledge who feels no love for the Supreme Entity should not be considered a human being, because in such a person human dharma is wanting. Human beings are characterized by their bhágavata dharma. They have a spontaneous attraction for the Supreme, which nonhumans do not possess. Hence, human beings have a glorious existence; animals do not.

Ahára nidrá bhaya maethunaiṋca sámányametad pashubhiirnaránám;

Dharmo hi teśamadhiko visheśo dharmena hiináh pashubhih sámánáh.

This shloka clearly illustrates that human beings devoid of bhágavata dharma are just like animals. I have already said that if human beings lack bhágavata dharma they are actually worse than animals. Animals do not have a developed intellect or consciousness; human beings do. If human beings fail to utilize their developed intellect and consciousness, choosing to avoid the pursuit of bhágavata dharma, they are the enemies of humanity and a slur on the human race. Their actions, having no relation to bhágavata dharma, should be considered contrary to humanity and their innate characteristic. Their