Impressive debutante

Sydney dancer Minakshi Srinivasan presents her Arangetram

The best performances are those in which the audience is fully absorbed, fa r too caught up with what the artiste is going to do next to p lay with the smart- phone or char to their neighbour. Earlie r this month, Ivlinakshi Srinivasan performed her Bharathaoatyam arangetram co pin drop si.lence and undivided attention from an enrapu1red audience. A studen t of Sydney guru Ni.khila Kiran and her dance academ y Natyanivedan, Mina performed her debut solo performance at Sydney Bahai Centre.

.Arangetram in Tamil means 'to ascend the stage' Ascend she certainly did, taking her audience witb her as she to ld stor ies punctuated by cri sp jatbis and w ith beautifully clean lines. In the past two decades in Sydney, an araogerram has moved away from what it once was, a first time stepping-stone by a you n g, inexperienced dancer, to dance recitals from dancers who have the maturity aod confidence to deliver close to professional performances. Minaksbi's was one such arangetran1, her poise, unwavering confidence and ability co connect deeply with the audience making it difficult to differentiate her performance from tl1at of man y profess ional dancers

Mina's ability to imme rse herself wholly into the character she is portraying ensures that those who are watching preparing for her wedding, or can't help but believe she is the Goddess Aodal Lord Shiva caught up in bis co smic dance, or the ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. A stand -out piece was one that strayed from the classical theme of gods and goddesses. It was a social pamdy of sorts, a light exploration of marriage in the bygone era, when girls were married off as children before mey had the maturity to handle such a concept. 1vlina, as the playful, excitable, sulky girl who can barely sit still long enough to take in her mmher's advice on how to i.nreract with her husband- to- be, had the audience at once laughing and tearing up.

The piece de resistance of any Bharathanacyam recital js the Varnam, an extens ive arrangement of jatbis (abstract dance) and expressive enactments. An important story is always told, and more often than not a god or goddess is showcased. Mina's Varnam explored the relationship between Lord S l1iva and his beloved Goddess Parvathi, as well as the adoration of tl1eir devotees. The piece was a spectacular combination of tl1oughtful choreography by Mrs Kiran and ski.lful execution by me dancer.

Another captivati.ogly e.xpressive piece was Bbo Sbambbo, a tribute to Lord Shiva. Tr is quite a is so hauntingly beautiful tl1ar only a strong dance performance will hold its own, and :Mina's certainly did. challenge to both choreograph and perform this piece.

The music the complex choreograph y, crisp footwork, and incredible agility, all the wh ile smiling charmingly Music is a main e lement in dance, and ~[i.na's performance was accompanied by a delightfull y young and talented set of musicians. Anand Sadasivam Dixit lent his dulcet voice, while tl1e seasoned Balaji Jagan.nadhan p layed die violin.

] t was a remarkably atl1letic, yet graceful portrayal of tl1e d ynamic Lord, with excellent choreography at its foundation l f the Varnam is the centrepiece of a repertoire, the Thillana is its crowning glory. A final display of the by- then exhausted dancer's technical finesse, it requires the artiste to somehow conjure up tl1ar last bit of energy after presenting the rest of tl1e repertoi re. Minakshi performed tlus piece as if it were the first of the eveni.og, with precise, energetic execution of

The 1111ida11ga111, a prominent instrument in Bha.rathanacyam, was played skilfully by Jaoal.;:an Raj, and young Venkatesh Sritharan p rovided the melodious flute accompaniment. Natruvangum was delivered by the g uru Nikhila Kiran.

The 1fC role was performed by die well - spoken C:barishma Kaliyanda and 1'v1ina's brother Krishna Srinivasan. Nlinaks hi's performance made it dear tl1at she is an artiste to watch on the dance s cene. Her precise, energetic execution of abstract dance as well as her ability to convince and draw in tl1e audience with her artful expressiveness ate sure signs tliat she will conti.nue to excel in chis beautiful , challenging art form that is Bharath anatyam.