MR NANDHA GOVENDER

AUM bhakli sringara SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY INDIAN

Programme

7. Address by

1. Welcome and Ganesha Prayer - MC Shri Ganas Nardhamuni 2. Natesha Kauthuvam 3. Allaripu 4. Jathiswaram 5. Address by Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay on Arangetram, Bharatanatyam and Symbolism of Guru - Guru Parampara (Guru lineage) Presentation to Shrimati Manormani Govender 6. Varnam - Adhi Moham Konden

Jayashree Padayatchey

8. Kaliyuga Varadhan 9. Tandana Padam - Bhramam Okate 10. Presentation to Guests of Honour: - Kistima Nardhamuni - Vigie Padayachy 11. Address by Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay 12. Presentation: a. Certificate b. Blessing from Parents

c. Dakshina to Guru d. Gifts to Assistants

13. Vote of Thanks

- MC Shri Ganas Nardhamuni

14. Stotram - Aigiri 15. Thillana 16. Mangalam

Bharatanatyam Arangetram

The Bharatanatyam Arangetram is the debut on-stage performance and a rite of passage for a Bharatanatyam dancer, marking the culmination of years of rigorous training. This significant milestone signifies the transition from a student to the commencement of their career as a professional dancer. the Arangetram, dancers are permitted to perform solo and impart their knowledge to aspiring dancers. It stands as a celebration of their skills and achievements, embodying years of hard work, dedication, and passion. The Arangetram is the first step towards mastering this divine and beautiful art form. After completing

1. Natesha Kauthuvam An invocation to Lord Nataraja who is the One who performs the Cosmic Dance. He is the Lord of Lords; the One who is worshipped by all, and the One who dances with a drum in one hand. The lyrics further describe the Lord’s iconic features, such as wearing ankle bells, holding the trident, and riding Nandi the bull. Ragam: Hamsadwani Taalam: Adi Choreography: Shrimati Manormani Govender

2. Allaripu Allaripu literally means “the blossoming of the flower”. It is the first item in a Bharatanatyam dance recital. Beginning with a standing posture, the movements of the neck, eyes, shoulder, arms, and hands are introduced with great charm, followed by torso and finally legs and feet. The recital ends with a small adavu or dance unit ending in a teermanam. It is a perfect example of a pure (nritta) dance sequence executed through concentrated, yet elemental, rhythmic patterns. Ragam: Naatai Taalam: Tisra Ekam 3. Jathiswaram A Jathiswaram is a dance composition that focuses on rhythmic patterns and melodic passages, rather than lyrics. It has multiple sections of different lengths, with transitions between slow and fast tempos. Ragam: Kalyani Taalam: Rupakam

4. Varnam - Adhi Moham Konden A Varnam is a complex and elaborate composition in Carnatic music and consists of lyrics, and swara passages.

The theme of this Varnam depicts a woman requesting her friend to bring the one she loves to her. “Oh, beautiful friend, I am completely in love, bring him immediately to me.” The woman describes the beautiful

traits of the one she loves, as well as the overwhelming emotions she experiences. The second half of the Varnam depicts Manmadha, the God of love, wielding 5 arrows and with a vengeance to strike her. Ultimately, she compares the one she loves to

be as great as Lord Shiva. Ragam: Shankarabharanam Taalam: Adi

Composer: Thanjai Ponnaiah Pillai 5. Kaliyuga Varadhan In praise of Lord Muruga who is the granter of boons in the present dark age of Kali (Kali-yuga) . Depicts Lord Muruga with the Shakthi Vel, born to the daughter of the mountain. He grew up under the care of the Karthigai maidens; within no time he solved the problems of the devas. Ragam: Brindavaana Saaranga Taalam: Adi Composer: Periyasaami Tooran Choreography: Vaishnavi Vignesh Raja

7. Stotram - Aigiri A hymn or ode on the killing of the demon Mahishasuran by Goddess Durga, the daughter of the mountain. The Stotram describes Goddess Durga’s many attributes including: destroying demons, nourishing the three worlds, having a beautiful appearance, being armed with weapons, and enjoying music and dance. 8. Thillana This is the finale and the most brilliant and liveliest of pieces. An absolute delight to watch, the Thillana is an elaborate sequence with scintillating and intricate movements. The words, although minimal, speak to the Divine Lord Vishnu (Padumanabha - engaged in eternal yogic sleep on his serpent mount named Shesha) . We seek refuge in your divinity, please relieve

us from our sorrows. Ragam: Dhanashree Taalam: Adi Choreography: Sivakalay Pillay 9. Mangalam

6. Tandana Padam - Bhramam Okate A deeply meaningful devotional bhajan which tells the devotees that though there are differences in the way people lead their lives, the Supreme Spirit is one. Ragam: Bowli Taalam: Adi Choreography: Vaishnavi Vignesh Raja

A short prayer performed at the end of the Bharatanatyam recital to wish well-being on all beings, to the Lord, to the Guru, and lastly to the guests. Ragam: Chenchurutti Taalam: Adi

Guru Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay

Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay graduated in Bharatanatyam in 1992 under the tutelage of Shrimati Manormani Govender. She taught dance for a period of eight years in Durban before relocating to Johannesburg, and in 2012 founded

“Bhakti Sringara School of South Indian Classical and Contemporary Dance”. Shrimati Sivakalay has performed at a postgraduate level at numerous events with various accomplished artists and musicians, and has recently undertaken further studies under the tutelage of Vaishnavi Vignesh Raja from Chennai.

Sivakalay is also a qualified attorney by profession, having lectured at the University of Natal and Varsity College in law, clerked for the former Chief Justice Chaskalson at the Constitutional Court and practiced as a lawyer up to Senior Associate level

Guru Shrimati Manormani Govender Shrimati Manormani Govender, Guru of Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay, is a pioneer in Bharatanatyam. She is obliged to her mother, the late Shrimati Dhanum Moodley, for imparting to her the skills in this art form from the tender age of six. In 1970, she enrolled at the Vadhini Natyala Academy in Chennai under Thirumathi Indra Rajan for a three-year intensive course. On her return to South Africa, she established the Manormani Dance Academy, which has won numerous awards and accolades over the years,and continues to conduct classes at various centres in Durban. at Webber Wentzel. Sivakalay is currently at Principal level at Absa Corporate and Investment Bank as Regulatory Lead.

Guru Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay ’ s Message To Lakshana Govender

Kumari Lakshana’s performance today is a celebration of years of rigorous practice, commitment, perseverance, and dedication. Her Arangetram

is a culmination of the journey taken by her since the age of eight, which started with basic footwork, simple dances with meaning ascribed, and then progressed to complicated foot

movements and hand gestures, complex timing or thalam, and deep facial expression to illustrate the meaning of the musical compositions.

I have watched Lakshana over the years blossom into a beautiful and intelligent young lady. She has matured in her dancing to the point where she has earned the privilege of being able to perform on her own and the responsibility to share the art form with other aspiring dancers. Lakshana has had tremendous talent since she was little, natural poise and elegance, as well as conscientiousness and a sincere desire to perform to the best of her potential. It gives me great joy to have walked this journey with Lakshana to reach this momentous milestone in her life. Bhakthi Sringara is also proud to celebrate Lakshana as its very first graduate.

Message From Lakshana Govender

Today, as I reflect on my Bharatanatyam journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, shaping me in ways I can only be proud of. Bharatanatyam has become a significant part of my life-a source of strength, continually challenging and motivating me to overcome my limitations through discipline and consistency. During my time away from dance, I felt an emptiness that only dance could fill. It was then that I realized just how deeply it resonated with me—the graceful yet powerful movements, the rhythm, the music, and the art of storytelling. Dance not only connects me to my culture but also teaches invaluable lessons about resilience and self-expression that help me grow. Returning to it has reminded me of the profound impact it has had on my journey, both as a dancer and as an individual. This beautiful art form has not only deepened my love for music and culture but has also shown me the power of perseverance and dedication. With every performance, practice, and even mistake, I’ve learned that I possess the strength and resilience to overcome any challenges I face.

To Guru Shrimati Sivakalay Pillay As I reflect on my Bharatanatyam journey, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my guru, my dance teacher, my source of guidance and support throughout my journey. Your dedication to this beautiful art form and your patience in teaching have been nothing short of

inspiring. Your belief in my abilities, even during moments when I doubted myself, has given me the strength to push forward. You’ve nurtured my love for this art form, leaving a lasting impact on me, and I am truly grateful for every correction, every encouragement, and every lesson you’ve imparted. They say a good teacher not only teaches but inspires a love for learning and passion for the subject, and I can proudly attest to this. Your openness to learn alongside your students displays your humility and shows that the pursuit of knowledge is an ever-unfolding path and that learning is a continuous process with no final destination in Bharatanatyam, as an Arangetram is just the start. Thank you for guiding me on this journey, for sharing your knowledge, and for being a constant source of support and for all our memorable conversations and moments. I am incredibly blessed to have you as my guru, and I carry your teachings and wisdom with immense pride and respect.

To my parents and sister Words cannot fully describe my deepest gratitude to my incredible parents and my dear sister. I am truly blessed to have been born into such an amazing family, whose unwavering love, support, and encouragement have been the foundation of everything I have achieved. Your sacrifices and dedication to ensuring I had the opportunity to pursue and succeed in all my endeavours’ mean more to me than words can express. You have stood by me through many challenges, celebrating my successes and cheering me as I pushed through obstacles.

To my dear sister, thank you for being my constant companion, my biggest supporter, and my closest confidante. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me, and your presence in my life has provided me comfort during my struggles. Together, your faith in me continues to inspire me to strive for excellence and to give my best in everything I do. You’ve taught me the value of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of following my heart. I am so fortunate to have been blessed with each of you by my side, and I dedicate every achievement to you. Your love and belief in me have made everything possible. I pray that God continues to shower His divine blessings on you all. May you always be kept safe, protected from harm, and granted every joy and success in life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I love you dearly.

Finally, I want to thank everyone present here today. Your presence, encouragement, and support mean so much to me, and I am truly honoured to share this milestone with you. This moment represents not only my hard work and dedication but the support and love from everyone around me. My journey is far from over, and I look forward to learning, growing, and discovering more through Bharatanatyam, as well as sharing many more moments like this with all of you in the future. Thank you all again for being a part of this special moment.

Message From Parents Nandha & Fazlyn Govender

Dearest Lakshana, as you grace the stage today for your Arangetram, our hearts overflow with profound joy and admiration for your extraordinary journey in Bharatanatyam. Your dedication and devotion to this ancient classical Indian art form has been transformative - from those initial hesitant steps as a young girl to becoming an accomplished dancer, who now visually communicates through the intricate language of mudras, abhinaya, and nritta. We’ve witnessed your unwavering commitment through many dance practices and live shows, the physical demands of perfecting complex choreographies, and your deep understanding of the philosophical foundations of each piece, story and music. Your perseverance in balancing academic excellence with physical exercise and rigorous dance training exemplifies the true spirit of artistic discipline.

Today marks not just the culmination of your training, but the beginning of your role as a cultural ambassador. Through your performances, you’ve already demonstrated how classical Indian dance can bridge generations and transcend cultural boundaries, making ancient storytelling relevant to contemporary audiences. We are immensely grateful for the artist and individual young lady you’ve become. May your graduation be a steppingstone to sharing the profound beauty of Bharatanatyam with the world in your own unique way. We are eternally humbled and blessed by all the love offerings, support, and congratulatory messages we have received from our family, friends, colleagues, and community. A very special thank you and our blessing to Guru Smt. Sivakalay Pillay for sharing this art form and journey with Lakshana.

With endless love and gratitude - Daddy, Mommy and Yashika.