South Indian Bharata Natyam Dance
Ramya Harishankar, Master Artist
Trisha Banerjee, Apprentice
Bharata Natyam is a classical Indian dance form originating in the Southern Indian temple dance tradition, which combines the arts of the stage, music, poetry, costuming and rhythm. Ramya Harishankar, who established her own dance school Arpana (meaning "offering") in Orange County, learned Bharata Natyam from traditional gurus in India, has performed and toured internationally for over twenty years. Trisha Banjeree has been under her tutelage for the past four years and recently performed her arangetram or solo debut. During this apprenticeship they will prepare a margam, a repertoire of seven items to be presented as a full-length solo performance of two hours.
"I began learning Bharata Natyam at the age of 7 when I was mezmerized by its energy and rhythm; I immediately decided I would be a dancer...."
©Ramya Harishankar
Master artist Ramya Harishankar studied the graceful Vazhuvoor style with Gurgu Swamimalai K. Rajaratnam from 1969 until his death in 1994. She also began training Abhinaya (expressive dance) under Kalanidhi Narayanan and says, "As I received instruction in the exacting art of abhinaya with her, dance took a new meaning and dimension."
"Bharata Natyam plays a tremendous role in my life. Outside school, it is where I spend all my time, putting forth hour after hour into practicing. It is the place in my life where I find the most joy and happiness!"
--Trisha Banerjee
In fulfillment of the requirements of Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Trisha Banerjee presented a solo Bharata Natyam recital on March 22, 2003, at the Corona Civic Center Auditorium. The master artist Ramya Harishankar, Artistic Director of the Arpana Dance Company, choreographed a “Margam,” a program of seven dances, for Trisha’s recital. The dances were thematically linked in that they were all dedicated to either or both Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. The first half featured a Varnam as the center-piece, entitled “Nitya Kalyani,” or “Eternally Auspicious One,” an item describing three detailed mythological stories about the Goddess.
Contributing to the program were Ramya Harishankar (narration and nattuvangam), Asha Ramesh (ACTA Master artist 1999-2000), Shubha Chandramouli (mridangam), and Krisna Kutty (violin).
An audience of about 300 attended the two-hour performance, which was a fundraiser for Pratham USA, a non-profit organization promoting the education of slum-dwelling children in India.
Photo courtesy of Mary MacGregor-Villarreal
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