Pushpanjali
The Pushpanjali is the introductory piece in the Arangetram. The dancer makes their first appearance on stage, offers flowers to Lord Nataraja, and seeks blessings from Him for a successful Arangetram. The dancer also asks for their dance guru’s and musician’s blessings for the performance.
Kauthuvam/Alarippu
A Kauthuvam is a type of dance with rhythmic syllables mixed with lyrics. The dancer uses Nritta (pure dance) and Nritya (sequence of footwork and Abhinaya) in this dance. This piece is followed by Alarippu, which showcases the dancer’s abilities and knowledge of basics and fundamentals of Bharatanatyam. “Alarippu”, in Tamil, means “the blossoming of a dancer,” therefore being at the beginning of an Arangetram. Alarippu involves Nritta, where the dancer moves with the fast beats.
Jathiswaram
Jathiswaram is pure rhythmic patterns, which is Nritta. The dancer dances to jathis, which are combinations of syllables in a beautiful melody, repeated throughout the entire dance piece.
Shabdam
A Shabdam is a mix of all three types of dance styles in Bharatanatyam; Nritta, Nritya, and Natya. For the first time in the Arangetram repertoire, the dancer introduces Natya, their ability to tell a story with their gestures, moves, and expressions (or Abhinaya). The performer often simultaneously uses complex footwork with hand gestures to convey the message in this interpretive dance.
Varnam
A Varnam is usually the longest dance in an Arangetram repertoire. Similarly to Shabdams, Varnams also involve Nritta, Nritya, and Natya to illustrate a story. However, these stories are typically much longer ones, testing the dancer’s stamina. A Varnam requires intricate movements and facial expressions to make the story and characters come to life!
Padam
Most Padams are mostly Natya and Nritya, dramatic movements to convey a message with some faster footwork too. They also have beautiful and memorable melodies! Padams are typically a bit slower than the other dances, but some can have some faster beats too.
Padams are musical dances that are shorter, compared to other ones like Shabdams and Varnams. Unlike all the other dances, a dancer typically does about three Padams for an Arangetram.
Thillana
A Thillana in an Arangetram is typically the last dance that one has to do to fully complete an Arangetram! It definitely puts the dancer’s stamina to a test, with intense, lively, and powerful Nritta throughout the whole dance to conclude the performance. It is extremely rhythmic, with complex patterns and beats to end with a bang!
Ambe Maa Stuti & Gujarati Folk Dance
Details to be added...
Mangalam
This is a gesture of gratitude and a formal conclusion to the arangetram. It is a dance where the dancer offers thanks to the deities, the guru, the musicians, and the audience, seeking blessings for the future.
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