Multitalented youngster ready for Arangetram

When teenager Visalini Gunathas takes to the stage at the end of the month to present her Arangetram in Bharata Natyam, she would not only fulfill her life-long ambition but also do her gurus, parents, mentors and peers proud.

For, her achievements even before the Arangetram, which in a way is regarded as a graduation ceremony, have been inspiring and worthy of note.

Among the highlights of the Arangetram, scheduled to be held on March 24 (at 5 pm) at Dorothy Winstone Centre of Auckland Girls Grammar School, would be the presence of Natyacharya V P and Shanta Dhananjayan, known as the ‘Dancing Couple of India.’ Their ‘Bharatakalanjali,’ established in Chennai, is considered the foremost academy in Bharata Natyam.

Visalini will be accompanied by Radha Badri (Vocal), Renuka Ketheesan (Natuvangam), Nellai Kannan (Mridangam), Kalaiarasan Ramanathan (Violin), Muthukumar (Flute) and Meera Raghu (Veena)

Expert tutelage

Beginning her dancing lessons when she was just three and half years old, Visalini has had the privilege of learning the great South Indian art at the feet of several exponents, the chief of who was Adayar Lakshman, known as the doyen of Bharata Natyam, with proven expertise in the ‘Kalakshetra’ format.

Says her father Gunathas: “She had the exclusive privilege of learning the nuances of the art at ‘Bharatha Choodamani,’ the dance school established by Adayar Lakshman in Chennai over the past two years. She also attended special workshops conducted by Madurai R Muralidharan in Auckland during his recent visit to New Zealand. These special training sessions have helped her to hone her dancing talent and undertake challenges,” he said.

Student par excellence

Auckland based Renuka Ketheesan, who has been teaching Visalini over the past several years was apparently pleased when she described her as “a student par excellence with a rare commitment and devotion.”

“Visalini is the first student in New Zealand to present her Arangetram soon after completing Grade Five of the Bharata Natyam examination conducted by the London based Academy of Fine Arts. She attained all the grades with distinctions and needs two more grades to complete the Diploma in Bharatha Natyam,” she said.

Visalini evinces deep interest in other South Indian classical music segments including Carnatic Vocal, Veena, Harmonium and ‘Pannisai,’ an ancient musical format that includes folk music and dance.

She is progressing in Vocals, undergoing a course in Grade Five, while achieving proficiency in Veena and other areas.

Other interests

Mr Gunathas is justifiably proud of his daughter’s interest in piano and drama.

“Visalini started learning piano when she was six years old. She has completed Grade Five examination conducted by Royal Schools of Music, London. She is currently in Grade Six in Speech and Drama, having completed previous grades with distinction and merit from Trinity College, London. She has won many awards in speech and drama in the Auckland competitions and at school.

“She also has an interest in swimming and plays badminton,” he said.

Visalini has registered impressive performance in her academic pursuits as well. A student of MacLeans College (Year 9) in East Auckland, she has scored high in Science and Mathematics, with distinction from the University of New South Wales on the two subjects last year.