KARACHI: Venue was Alliance Française (French Cultural Center) where classical dance aficionados converged to witness Anjaleen’s Arangetram (stage dance debut).
Anjaleen’s Arangetram displayed the complete repertoire of classical Bharatanatyam dance form that is one of the ancient classical dance forms of the sub-continent.
It is replete with geometric lines and rhythmic patterns. Like all classical styles, it includes all aspects of expressional as well as pure or abstract dance.
Mudras or hand gestures play an important part in the language of classical dance
Bharatnatyam (expression, melody and rhythm) is one of the ancient classical dance forms of the Sub-Continent.
Sheema Kermani speaking about the performance stated: “I am proud to present the Arangetram of my student Anjaleen Maryam Agrawalla.
“An Arangetram is a stage dance debut of a student after they have completed multiple years of training, and the guru feels that the student is ready for public solo performance.
“Anjaleen joined my classes when she was only six years old and has trained over 13 years she is part of my dance troupe and has performed in many major events.
“She has learned the classical dance forms of Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Kathak. Her Arangetram will display the complete repertoire of the classical Bharatnatyam dance form.”
Seven Dances Performed:
1) Pushpanjali (offering of flowers by the dancer): It is the first dance in a Bharatnatyam performance: a salutation to the lord of dance Nataraja, the Guru, the musicians and the audience.
2) Alaripu (flowering bud): It is the first dance piece that Bharatnatyam dancers learn and perform in this type of classical dance recital. It is based on rhythm alone. The movements relax the mind, loosen and coordinate the limbs thereby preparing the dancer for upcoming dances.
3) Jatiswaram: It is distinguished from other musical compositions like Shabdam or Varnam by having no lines of poetry. It has three parts – pallavi, anupallavi and charanam. There is an added joy of melody sans sentiments expressed in this abstract, pure dance piece.
4) Shabdam (Kahniya Ji Ka Raas): This dance includes more aspects of expressional dance. The music includes lyrics and the song may be devotional, affectionate or a narrative.
5) Varnam: This is the main dance of the entire Bharatnatyam repertoire. Varnam is the amalgamation of abstract and expressive aspects of dance, and focuses on the rhythmic, melodic and lyrical aspects of the music.
6) Abhinaya: Abhi means Towards and Naya means To Carry. Hence the dancer by means of the deepest and the most expressive dance attempts to reach out to the ladies and gentlemen in the audience.
7) Tillana: This lively, joyful dance set to different rhythmic patterns is generally performed at the end of a concert.
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