 Shilpa’s dance arangetram in Florida
 Shilpa Sridhar completed her dance arangetram on September 9, 2006, at the Broward Main Library Auditorium at the tender age of 10. A new star is shining in South Florida.
Shilpa was a picture of confidence during the entire performance, demonstrating her exquisite skills song after song. She is schooled in a unique dance style created by the living legend and the dance genius, Dr Padma
Subrahmanyam.
Shilpa learned this style from her mother Sangeetha Sridhar, who is a direct student of Dr Padma Subramanyam. The style requires a demonstration of rigorous footwork, abhinaya, mudras, bhavas, eye movements and poses blended with a unique style of fluid body movements.
Costumes skillfully chosen for Shilpa’s performance enhanced the overall presentation.
Shilpa deftly moved around the stage painting the audience a picture of the story she was narrating at times making the audience wonder if there were more than one Shilpa on stage! The audience sat riveted to their chairs till the end, only to get up in the end for a well-deserved standing ovation.
Shilpa started her performance with a Mallari and Kauthvam. These are invocatory dances to set the mood of piety on stage and in the minds of the audience. The dancer sought the blessings from the Gods, spiritual masters, gurus, accompanying artistes and the audience.
Jathiswaram was the next item where Shilpa demonstrated her mastery over the dance fundamentals. Traditionally, this item is also a “warm-up” for the main items that follow.
The next song ‘Ananda Natamaduvar Thillai’, sung in the beautiful ragam Poorvi Kalyani, is an all-time favourite among dance connoisseurs. The song is in praise of the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, who was present on stage in Thillai blessing the devotees who came to witness his cosmic dance. There were times all of us were wondering if Shilpa has turned herself into Lord Shiva through her abhinaya and
bhava.
Varnam is the most complicated piece in any dance performance. It combines all aspects of dance in one song. When even experts struggle to put out a good Varnam performance, our little Shilpa was magnificent. Bhava, raga and tala come together in this Simhendra Madhyamam raga
Varnam.
Shilpa’s rendition of Lord Krishna eating mud and showing the entire world to his mother Yasoda was simply superb. Shilpa would alternate from being Krishna one moment and Yasoda the next, changing her facial expressions and body postures so rapidly, it was a treat to watch. When the artiste crosses the Varnam in an arangetram performance, she is a lot more than half-way to a successful finish. So far, Shilpa has been passing with flying colours both literally and figuratively.
The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam was the next item in the performance, which is in the praise of Goddess Lakshmi. This song gave ample opportunity to Shilpa to display skills in bhava as each of the Ashta
Lakshmi.
The next dance number was a special for the residents of South Florida. Shilpa’s grandmother, Vasumathy Swamy, had composed this song. Shilpa displayed a playful mood and very joyously invited Lord Muruga to come to South Florida and play with her. This specific song was sung by Vasumathy Swamy, which added a unique touch to the entire concert. The song was set very aptly in the raga Brindavana Saranga. At the end of the song, when Shilpa showed an abhinaya as Lord Muruga actually comes to South Florida on a peacock, it was a touching moment.
Being a family of Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba devotees, Shilpa’s dance performance would not be complete without a song praising Him. When Shilpa took the Padukas of Sri Sai Baba on a procession, it brought tears to many in the audience.
The final item of the performance is Thillana. It was in the raga Varamu which helped Shilpa demonstrate her mastery over the nritta aspect of dance and speed without missing a beat. There were also many poses during the Thillana presentation. The programme concluded with
Mangalam.
Live music for a dance performance is very essential. Singer Sudev Warrier has a divine voice with phenomenal talent. Being the disciple of musical genius Sri Balamurali Krishna, Sudev Warrier demonstrated his extraordinary musical talent through the entire performance.
Nattuvangam was provided ably by Sangeetha Sridhar who is the mother and guru of Shilpa. On the mridangam was Sudhaman who showed a lot of energy and precision. Krishnaprasad on the flute took us all to a special plane. On the violin was our very own Sanjay Chandran of South Florida and he was simply superb.
Madam of Ceremonies, Swetha Vittal Prasad, kept the audience informed by giving adequate explanations to each dance item. The video presentation of the growing years of Shilpa was entertaining.
The decorations made by Vijaya Para and her team of volunteers were phenomenal, as usual. The kolams, lamps, pictures, etc., at the entrance to the hall took us to some place we have all been to in India. On stage, the decorations were elegant which provided a great ambiance and enhanced the dance performance.
Arangetram is not a goal but a stepping stone in the path of an artists. Having successfully completed the arangetram we all hope Shilpa will continue to learn and perform in South Florida and elsewhere in the rest of the world. Talented youngsters like Shilpa become the focal points for the spread of the Indian art form in the Western world. Through their continued efforts and performances they inspire other youngsters and keep the art alive. May Lord Nataraja bless Shilpa with long life and continued success. Hearty congratulations to Shilpa’s parents and grand parents who have worked so hard to identify and bring out her talent.
Balachandran Seetharaman
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