Seated between my 87-year-old mother-in-law (currently on a visit from India) and my eight-year-old son Abhishek (a student under training in Bharata Natyam), I considered myself fortunate in watching the Arangetram of Vethahi Arunthayaparan at the Dorothy Winstone Centre (Auckland Girls Grammar School) in Auckland on June 23, 2012.
Perceiving at the outset, the stage divinely graced by the Shiva Lingam under the setting of ‘Brihadeeswarar Temple’ (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu), I was filled with curiosity since the performer was less than 12 years old (see Indian Newslink, June 1, 2012).
Vethahi’s rendition of ‘Thevaram’ during the ‘Aranga Pooja’ gave a taste of the cultural feast that the young girl had prepared to serve.
‘Nadaswaram’ and ‘Thavil,’ known as ‘Mangala Vadhyam’ (Auspicious Melody), normally heard at Tamil weddings, provided a grand opening to the evening.
A unique union
It was indeed a marriage- a union of dance and the dancer. This oneness was so evident in ‘Karanam Kettu Vadi,’ a Kirtanam, that it brought memories of my childhood, when my grandmother used to narrate the story of ‘Parvathi,’ asking her friend to find out the reason for the absence of her Lord Chidambaram (Lord Shiva). Vethahi kept the audience at awe throughout this memorable item.
In Varnam, ‘Kaaranam Neye’ (a song that portrays Lord Krishna as the ‘butter thief’), the artiste had the added advantage of her own tender age of depicting the buoyancy of the mischievous God. It was an excellent performance, invoking the Supreme Energy.
The supporting artistes included Renuka Ketheesan (Nattuvangam), Arunanthy Aaruran (Vocal), Kundil Kesavan Narayanan (Mridangam), Suresh Babu Vinayagam (Violin), Surya Narayanan Krishna Iyer (Flute), Bavani Suresh (Veena), M Satyamurthy (Nadaswaram) and S P Arunachalam (Thavil).
Among the guests of honour were Madurai R Muralidharan, Dr Suresh Ramachandra, Dr Yogini Ratnasabhapathy and Heather McRae (Principal, Diocesan School for Girls, Epsom).
While the well-set orchestra combined with Nadaswaram and Thavil added power to Vethahi’s performance, her parents and teachers, notably her current Guru Renuka Ketheesan added pride to the dancer’s personality.
The evening also witnessed the release of ‘Thiruppugazh Thenisai,’ a CD containing Vethahi’s rendition of songs (Thevaram), the first copies of which were received by community leader, former President of the New Zealand Thirumurugan Temple Trust and Indian Newslink columnist Thillayar Varnakulasingam (now a Member of the Management Committee) with his wife Vimaladevi (Committee Member) and current President of the Trust S Satyaselvan and his wife Usha.
The Editor adds:
Vethahi Arunthayaparan performed with poise, self-confidence and proficiency, rarely seen in Arangetrams. This tweenager is set to reach higher levels of professionalism in Bharata Natyam if she continues to evince interest in this ancient Indian classical art. A multi-talented girl, she will soon feature in our ‘Talent of the Fortnight’ series.
However, lengthy speeches and the Master of Ceremonies’ script (that included adulation of the artiste) could have been avoided. The audience would have loved to hear the performance of the supporting artistes (each of who was exceptional) during the time that must be allowed for the artiste for change of costumes and jewellery.
