Bharatanatyam Performances and Student Achievements
Seeing my students perform, whether on a local stage or at a competition, is the true test of their training. Here, they share what they have learned.
I am always happy to see our students doing well in public dance competitions and sweeping the awards. Their hard work truly pays off.
Our studio concerts are a nice opportunity for junior students to watch a senior performance up close. Here is Asmitha performing items from her Arangetram from 6 years ago.
Our class annual day, 'Samarpanam 2023', is right around the corner and practices are going on in full swing.
A student performing at a public event. Taking the art form to a wider audience is always a fulfilling experience.
My adult student Brinda and her daughter Tarikha striking a few poses during a temple visit. Dance has become a part of their lives, not just their class.
Behind the scenes at our class's 50th Arangetram, where we presented a special group performance. Look at the fun they are having.
Clicks from our recent class performance. It is so fulfilling when all the practice results in a good, synchronized performance.
Panjami and Diya are always excited to perform. I teach my students that every performance, big or small, should be done with sincerity.
The performing arts unify people in a way nothing else does. Here are a few more photos from our recent show.
Panjami and Diya from our Intermediate 3 batch recently performed for the HAL organization.
About On Stage: Performances & Achievements
Preparing for a stage performance is vastly different from studio practice. When my students step out to perform at temple festivals or competitions, they do not just execute steps, they learn to manage stage anxiety, perfect their costume adjustments, and connect with the audience. I guide them through these realities, from the intensity of the Adavu to the final Pranam, so they feel ready when the curtains rise.
At Samarpana, I do not believe in holding back performance opportunities until a student is perfect. If you wait for perfection, you wait forever. Whether it is our annual day, a temple festival, or a public competition, getting on stage early builds a specific kind of confidence that you simply cannot simulate in a classroom. We focus on the Kalakshetra curriculum, but the stage is where that discipline translates into expression.
I handle the practical aspects because they matter as much as the technique. Costume pin placement, stage makeup basics, and even how to handle the lights are things my students learn alongside their Abhinaya. For our younger dancers, performing for smaller groups at studio concerts helps them get comfortable. For my seniors preparing for their Arangetram or major competitions, the focus shifts to stamina and the narrative depth of the Margam.
When you see photos of my students winning awards at public competitions, remember that it is the result of years of consistent Adavu practice, not a one-off talent. My goal is to ensure that when they perform, they do so with sincerity, respecting the art form and the stage.
Preetha Arun
My path to teaching was unexpected, but it has been my life for 25 years. I share what I learned from legendary gurus like Adyar K. Lakshman sir, keeping that discipline alive while creating a space where every student can grow at their own pace.
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