An Evening of Grace: The Beginning of Jainita’s Arangetram

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and devotion as Vinod, Bhairavi, Nikita, and Jay extended a warm welcome to the audience, inviting them into an evening that promised beauty, rhythm, and reverence. Their words carried the joy and pride of a community coming together to celebrate a young dancer’s milestone — Jainita’s Arangetram.

Taking the podium, Smt. Neelam Dave opened the evening with grace and eloquence. She explained that Arangetram — literally meaning ascending the stage — is not merely a performance, but a sacred rite of passage for every Bharatanatyam dancer. After years of dedicated practice, guidance, and devotion under the tutelage of her Guru, the student steps onto the stage to share her art with the world.

Neelam described Bharatanatyam as more than dance — it is a sādhana, a spiritual practice that uplifts both the performer and the observer. Quoting from the Nāṭya Śāstra by Bharata Muni, she reminded the audience of the seamless link between movement, expression, and emotion — a philosophy that lies at the heart of Indian classical dance:

“Where the hands go, the eyes follow;
Where the eyes go, the mind follows;
Where the mind goes, the heart follows;
And where the heart is, lies the truth of being.”

She then invited everyone to immerse themselves in the evening’s performances — a complete Bharatanatyam Margam, expressing devotion, rhythm, and storytelling through intricate choreography and Gujarati compositions that reflect Jainita’s deep cultural roots.

Before the performances began, Neelam gently reminded the audience to remain seated during each dance and to refrain from photography, as professional videographers would capture every moment to be shared later.

With reverence and warmth, she concluded her introduction:

“Let us begin this journey with an invocation to the divine —
a prayer of gratitude, a celebration of art,
and a reflection of the timeless bond between Guru and Shishya.”

As the musicians began the Invocation Bhajan, the hall transformed — from a performance space into a sacred stage, where rhythm met devotion and art met soul.