Mahaganapathim
Ragam: Nattai
Thalam: Adi
Mahaganapathim is a traditional prayer to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
Pushpanjali
Ragam: Gambheera Nattai
Thalam: Adi
Ganesha Shloka
Ragam: Aarabhi
The dancer begins by offering flowers to Lord Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva. She then turns to her Gurus, the orchestra, and the audience for their blessings and support.
Tisra Alarippu
Thalam: Rupakam
Alarippu is the first dance of a Bharatha Natyam repertoire. It represents a bud, the beginning dancer, blossoming into a flower. The dance is based purely on rhythm.
Jathiswaram
Ragam: Saveri
Thalam: Rupakam
Jathiswaram is a pure dance composition that demands a higher level of skill from the dancer. The complex steps are set to rhythmic syllables, or jathis, and swaras, or musical notes.
Varnam: Naadhanai Azhaithu Vaa Sakhiye
Ragam: Kambhoji
Thalam: Adi
Among all the Bharatha Natyam pieces, Varnam stands supreme. It is the central and most elaborate piece of the Bharatha Natyam repertoire.
Varnam brings together all that is Bharatha Natyam. It combines 'bhavam' or expression and 'ragam' or melody with 'thalam' or rhythm. It is a test of the dancer's skill and stamina. This particular varnam is in praise of Lord Muruga.
Natanam Adinar
Ragam: Vasantha
Thalam: Ata
A song in praise of Lord Nataraja, as the King of Dance. The dancers describe His dance in the Golden Hall of Thillai.
Himagiri Thanaye
Ragam: Suddha Dhanyasi
Thalam: Adi
This song is in praise of the Goddess as the daughter of the great Himalaya mountains, the Divine Mother, and the giver of eternal bliss.
Thillana
Ragam: Kaanada
Thalam: Adi
Thillana is the grand finale of a Bharatha Natyam repertoire. Here, the fast-paced steps are set to a vibrant melody. It is an item of pure dance that ends with a sloka or prayer praising the Lord Shiva.
Aarthi & Mangalam
Ragam: Saurashtram
Thalam: Adi
Mangalam is the traditional concluding prayer in which the dancers express their gratitude to God, their Gurus, the orchestra, and the audience for their support through their program and their blessings for their continued success.
Sheila Pitchumoni Narayanan & Shreya Narayanan
Sheila Pitchumoni Narayanan began learning Bharatha Natyam at a very young age from legendary dancer and actress Padmini. Over the next 30 years, Sheila continued to learn and teach at the Padmini Institute of Fine Arts in New Jersey. As a prime student of Padmini, Sheila has traveled all over the country with her Guru. In 2002, with the blessings of Padmini and the other Gurus of Padmini Institute of Fine Arts, Sheila started her dance school in Tampa, Shreyas Arts. Sheila's daughter, Shreya, was her first student. Shreya Narayanan has been dancing, choreographing, and teaching for several years. She had her arangetram, conducted by the Gurus of Padmini Institute of Fine Arts, at the young age of 12. She is a highly requested teacher by many of the students. Her fine timing, quick movements, and strong abhinaya have left nationwide audiences spellbound. Shreya has performed in the United States and India for elite audiences. Since her arangetram, she has learned from some of the most reputed dancers, including Shobana, Kalmandalam Radhika, and Aarti Bodani. Shreya is also a practicing gastroenterologist. Sheila and Shreya run Shreyas Arts together. The mother-daughter team has earned a reputation for excellence in choreography, performance, organization, and teaching skills. Bharatha Natyam is a passion for both mother and daughter
Master of Ceremonies
Shreya Narayanan
&
Sheila Pitchumoni Narayanan
Orchestra
Guru & Nattuvangam
Sheila Pitchumoni Narayanan
Guru & Nattuvangam
Shreya Narayanan
Vocal
Saavitri Ramanand
Mridangam
Murali Balachandran
Violin
Priyamvadaa R
Veena and Flute
Preethi Sundaresan
Keyboard
K.V.R. Chary
Vocal
Sunitha Saravanan
Sahana Illango & Sunayna Illango
Sahana Illango and Sunayna Illango began learning Bharatha Natyam at a young age under the guidance of Sheila Pitchumoni Narayanan and Shreya Narayanan at Shreyas Arts. Drawn to the beauty of movement, rhythm, music, and expression, the sisters developed a deep love for this ancient classical dance form. Over the past 11 years, they have trained with dedication, discipline, and perseverance, learning the foundations of Bharatha Natyam, including adavus, mudras, abhinaya, rhythm, storytelling, and stage presence. Through years of practice, rehearsals, and performances, Sahana and Sunayna have grown in confidence, grace, focus, and respect for the tradition. Their Arangetram marks an important milestone in their journey, representing the blessings of their Gurus, the support of their family and community, and their own commitment to the art. They are honored to present this performance with gratitude, joy, and reverence for Bharatha Natyam.
