The enthusiasm and devotion with which a number of youngsters learn Bharata Natyam, culminating in their Arangetram enlivens the hope that this great form of traditional art will continue to thrive among the future generations as well.
Such hope was reaffirmed at the debut of Aishwarya Gopalakrishnan, held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre of Auckland Girls Grammar School on March 10.
More than 650 guests including Members of Parliament Dr Rajen Prasad (Labour), Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (National) and Kip McGrath Education Centres chief executive Jonathan Anderson attended the programme that included items that usually challenge debutantes.
Beginning the concert with ‘Pushpanjali,’ set in Saraswathi Ragam and Aadhi Talam, Aishwarya went on to present ‘Allarippu’ (Naatai Ragam, Thisra Ekam Talam), followed by ‘Ganesha Keerthanam’ (Gambeera Naatai Ragam, Aadhi Talam) and Jatheeswaram (Ragamaaligai Ragam, Aadhi Talam).
She was perhaps at her ‘debut best’ when she executed intricate movements and expressions in ‘Amman Sthuthy’ (Revathi Ragam, Aadhi Talam) and ‘Shiva Sthuthy (Ragamaligai Ragam, Aadhi Talam).
Born in India, Aishwarya has had the advantage of being trained by experts in the art in Botswana and New Zealand, the most important among who was Auckland based Renuka Ketheesan.
She acknowledged Aishwarya as ‘one of her brightest, quietest and most promising students.’
“She has been my student for the past eight years and I have found her extremely devoted and obedient. She is devoted to the art and works towards achieving excellence. Although a quite person, Aishwarya expresses the various emotions with candidness and vivacity. I am fortunate to have such a student under my training,” Ms Ketheesan said.
Aishwarya said Bharata Natyam was one of the most beautiful and satisfying ways of expressing human longing for union, with divinity.
“Through several years of training, I have not only made a physical journey but also a spiritual journey toward experiencing the consciousness. The dance in itself is a bliss, growth, and realisation. I will do my best to keep this art form live,” she said.
Dr Prasad echoed the voice of many when he said that Aishwarya captivated the audience with her excellent expressions.
“She displayed agility and flexibility and showed a high degree of proficiency in the ‘Snake Dance,’ that formed a highlight of the second part of the programme. She retained her charm and stamina until Thillana, which was the concluding item of the Arangetram,” he said.
Among the accompanying artistes were Renuka Kethessan (Choreography and Nattuvangam), Srikanth Gopalakrishnan (Vocal), Kundil Kesavan Narayanan (Mridhangam), Dr Ashok Malur (Violin) and Saketh Ram Vishnubhotla (Veena).
