B H A R A T A N A T Y A MARANGETRAMDisciples of Guru Sukanya SubramanianAARNA THAKUR & YASHVI PARMAR

We warmly welcome you to the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Aarna Thakur and Yashvi Parmar, two dedicated students of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester. Bharatanatyam is an ancient Indian classical dance form from Tamil Nadu in southern India, combining expressive storytelling, melodic music and rhythmic dance patterns. Arangetram, meaning “ascending the stage”, is a proud yet humbling milestone that reflects a Bharatanatyam student’s years of disciplined practice, devotion and perseverance. Guided by the patience, dedication and skill of their guru, the dancers will present a full Bharatanatyam repertoire as an offering of gratitude to the divine, their guru and our cherished community. We are deeply grateful for your presence, support, love and blessings as Aarna and Yashvi take their first humble steps into the vast world of Indian classical dance. A WARM WELCOME

CHOREOGRAPHY & NATTUVANGAM Sukanya Subramanian is a trained Bharatanatyam artiste, choreographer and teacher. She is a direct disciple of the legendary Guru (late) Smt. Rajee Narayan, a gifted teacher, musician, lyricist, composer and choreographer, renowned for her expertise in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, Natyashastra and Nattuvangam. Guru Rajee was a trailblazing female ‘vaggeyakara’ — a rare artist who wrote her own lyrics and composed the music exclusively for Bharatanatyam. In 1965, Guru Rajee founded Nritya Geethanjali in Mumbai, where Sukanya trained and became a key performing artiste. A qualified and experienced Human Resources specialist, Sukanya began her Bharatanatyam teaching career in the UK, working intermittently with various institutions across Manchester before establishing Nritya Geethanjali Manchester in 2023. She founded this academy as a tribute to Guru Rajee and to her late mother, Smt. Vasantha Subramanian, who encouraged her to pursue this art form with devotion and commitment. In January 2025, Nritya Geethanjali Manchester introduced Carnatic music lessons, led by Rajeshwari Rangaswami, who is also one of the vocalists for NGM concerts. Sukanya now dedicates herself full-time to teaching Bharatanatyam and nurturing her academy.

GUEST OF HONOUR Abhinandana Kodanda is the Artistic Director of Abhinandana Dance Academy, based in Preston. Trained extensively under the esteemed Guru Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Abhinandana has delivered over 900 performances, earning a distinct and authentic place in the world of Kuchipudi. As a passionate educator, she teaches students across the North West of England, with a mission to promote the cultural richness of Kuchipudi to wider audiences. Her students’ performances have been featured on many prestigious platforms, including the House of Commons, London, International Arts Festival, Lancashire Encounter, Preston Guild, Tour De France, and King’s Coronation Celebrations. With over 25 years of experience as an articulate arts manager, Abhinandana currently serves as the Co-Chairman of Preston City Mela, Centre Manager at the Gujarat Hindu Society. She is on the Examination board of PRSSV, London & Sruthi School of performing arts , Manchester. She has played a key role in compiling and structuring Kuchipudi syllabi, making the art form accessible and academically recognised within the British education system. Holding Master's degrees in both Business Administration and English Literature, Abhinandana continues to nurture and inspire the next generation of Indian Classical dancers in the UK.

ORCHESTRA MEMBERS Dr. Jai Shankar – an eye surgeon by profession, Dr. Jai Shankar started learning Mridangam from late Shri Chidambaram Nataraja Iyer at the tender age of 6 and continued until he left for his medical school. He often performs as an accompanying percussionist for several vocalist & instrumentalists. He is also proficient in playing Ghatam and Ganjiira. He also plays the Congo and Cahon as part of the Bollywood & Tamil music ensembles, Harmonics, Shadjam and Swasame. MRIDANGAM Rajeshwari Rangaswami – Rajeshwari started her training in Carnatic vocal from her grandmother at an early age and later went on to learn from Smt. Saroja Balasubramaniam. Rajeshwari is an oracle finance consultant by profession and continues to train students in Carnatic music at Nritya Geethanjali Manchester. VOCAL Sindhu Harave - a dentist by profession, Sindhu commenced her formal training in Carnatic Music at the tender age of 8 years in Mysore. She received training from Vidwan R.N.Doreswamy, Vidushi Nagaveni and Vidushi Dr. R.N.Srilatha. Sindhu continued her vocal training under Smt Durga Ramakrishnan and Shreya Devnath after moving to UK. VOCAL

ORCHESTRA MEMBERS Smt. Rajeshwary Kandhasamy - started learning violin at an early age in Sri Lanka under the guidance of her guru, Sri Sarveshwara Sharma. She further trained to be a teacher at Vani Mahal Music Academy in Chennai, under Sri Ranganatha Sharma. She continues to perform and teach violin to several students in and around Manchester. VIOLIN Mayooran Green – a dentist by profession, Mayooran is currently based in North Wales. Mayooran received his initial training in Veena from his mother, Smt. Rajeshwary Kandhasamy and then had received his formal training from his Guru Sivatharini Sahathevan. VEENA

COSTUME AND MAKEUP Priyadharshini is a full-time IT professional, working as an Account Services Manager – IT at Accenture UK Private Ltd. A proud member of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester, she has been training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Sukanya Subramanian since 2018 and performed her arangetram in 2022. Priya has also performed in several NGM dance recitals and continues to pursue this art form with deep devotion. As a senior student of NGM, she also teaches Bharatanatyam at Amildham Tamil Association. Both of Priya’s daughters are students of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music at NGM. PRIYADHARSHINI MANOHARAN BHAKTI JOSHI Bhakti is full-time Primary School teacher leading in Science and Sustainability. In her spare time, she loves experimenting with plant-based recipes and baking vegan cakes. Her passion for dance spans many genres, including Gujarati folk, Bollywood and Bharatnatyam, all of which she has practiced since a very young age. As a proud member of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester, Bhakti has been training under Guru Sukanya Subramanian since 2018 and completed her arangetram in 2022. Bhakti has also performed in several NGM dance recitals. Bhakti has a deep connection with Bharatanatyam, a dance form she thoroughly enjoys and continues to hold close to her heart.

STAGE ARANGEMENTS Yasotha Prabaharan is a full-time finance professional working for a National Governing Body. Passionate about both Bharatanatyam and cricket, she is a proud member of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester, where she trains under Guru Sukanya Subramanian. Yasotha performed her arangetram in 2022 and has since participated in several NGM dance recitals. She continues to pursue Bharatanatyam with dedication while remaining actively involved in competitive cricket, both of which are an important part of her life.YASOTHA PRABAHARAN ANCHORS SUJATA MALLASHETTI BAANI THAKUR SHASHWAT PARMAR

PERFORMERS Aarna Thakur is an enthusiastic, intelligent and outgoing 14-year-old Year 10 student at Withington Girls’ School. With a warm, caring nature and a genuine curiosity about the world around her, Aarna brings energy and thoughtfulness to everything she does. Aarna’s Bharatanatyam journey began at the age of four in India. After moving to the UK, she continued her training under Guru Sukanya Subramanian and is a budding artist of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester. Over the years, Bharatanatyam has become much more than a dance form for Aarna; it has strengthened her confidence, discipline and self-expression, while deepening her appreciation of her Indian heritage. It has also taught her patience, perseverance, sincerity and dedication in everything she does. Aarna has a keen interest in science and enjoys exploring social and global issues, understanding different perspectives, and considering how communities can work together to create positive change. She values opportunities to debate, listen, question and share her views, while strengthening her communication and leadership skills. Aarna shares her passion for dance by leading her school’s dance club, inspiring others to discover confidence and joy through movement. Her creative side also finds expression through craft, painting and watercolours. Her arangetram marks a special moment: a celebration of her dedication, growth, and the confident, expressive young person she is becoming.

PERFORMERS Yashvi Parmar is a charming, intelligent, friendly and industrious 16-year-old student studying A levels at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. Yashvi’s Bharatnatyam journey began at the age of four, receiving her initial training under Guru Sharmila Mazumdar in Pune, India. After moving to the UK, Yashvi continued her Bharatanatyam training under Guru Sukanya Subramanian and is an emerging artist of Nritya Geethanjali Manchester. Through Bharatanatyam, Yashvi has deepened her knowledge and appreciation for the Indian culture and tradition and hopes to continue pursuing this art form. This year, Yashvi completed her GCSEs with flying colours while preparing for her arangetram, balancing her academic and dance commitments with discipline, focus and hard work. An enthusiastic science student, she is eager to explore how engineering principles can improve medical diagnosis, treatment and healthcare. Yashvi is an ardent lover of Garba and participates in annual Navaratri celebrations around Manchester. She is also a passionate sportswoman with a keen interest in cricket, playing for the Cheshire District team and Brooklands Cricket Club. Alongside this, Yashvi enjoys creative pursuits such as violin, drawing, crafting and painting. Her arangetram signifies an important milestone in her artistic journey, celebrating her dedication, devotion and determination to hone her dancing skills.

THE PROGRAMME A brief overview of the evenings performance. PRAYER PUSHPANJALI & GANAPATI ALARIPPU JATISWARAM NATESA SABDAM DEVI VARNAM BREAK & DINNER ASHTAPADI SRI RAMA BHAJAN HANUMAN CHALISA TILLANA MANGALAM

THE PROGRAMME PRAYER A prayer to Goddess Saraswati, invoking her blessings. ‘Mata Saraswati’ a composition of late Guru Smt. Rajee Narayan, presented by the musicians in Ragam Saraswati set to Adi Talam. PUSHPANJALI & GANAPATI ALARIPPU A traditional opening dance piece in a Bharatanatyam recital. In this item, the dancers offer “pushpa” (flower) with “anjali” (salutations) to the lord, express gratitude to their guru for their guidance, acknowledge the orchestra for supporting them with live musical support, and welcome the audience. Set in Ragam Naatai and Adi Talam, Pushpanjali includes a short prayer to Lord Ganesha, invoking his blessings to remove any obstacles. Pushpanjali will be followed by Alarippu, meaning “a flowering bud”, symbolising the blossoming of the artists and the unfolding of their dance before the audience. Dancers will present the Ganapati Alarippu in Tisram, a 3 beat rhythm, set to Rupaka Talam.

THE PROGRAMME JATISWARAM A pure dance (nritta) item that combines rhythmic percussion syllables with melodic musical notes (swaras) presented in Vasantha Ragam set to Rupaka Talam. In this piece the dancers will demonstrate their command of rhythm through geometric body lines, intricate footwork, and graceful hand and body movements. Jatiswaram is a foundational item that helps build stamina, balance and clarity in the execution of basic steps. NATESA SABDAM Sabdam is the first item in a Bharatanatyam repertoire that introduces words (sahityam) and expressive storytelling (abhinaya). It serves as a bridge between pure rhythm-based dance, known as nritta, and deeply expressive pieces. Sabdams are traditionally set to Misra Chapu Talam, a 7-beat cycle, and are often rendered as a Ragamalika, combining several ragas. This Sabdam is dedicated to Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, and portrays the episode in which Lord Shiva reduces Kamadeva, the god of love also known as Manmadan, to ashes. The story begins when Lord Indra, on behalf of the gods, persuades Kamadeva to shoot an arrow of desire at Lord Shiva while he is immersed in deep meditation. Indra and the gods seek to awaken Shiva’s love for Goddess Parvati, as only a child born of their union could defeat the powerful and seemingly invincible demon Tarakasura.

DEVI VARNAM Varnam translates to colour reflecting the many shades of expression and emotions it presents. It is the central, most elaborate and longest piece in a Bharatanatyam repertoire,testing the dancers’ physical stamina, rhythmic precision (nritta), and the dramatic storytelling ability through theatrical gestures & expressions (nritya and natya). Varnam combines complex rhythmic syllable sequences, known as jatis and melodic musical notes, or swaras with lyrical sahityam. Devi Varnam is based on Bhakti Rasa, the emotion of devotion. A composition of (Late) Shri S. Narayana Iyer in Simhendramadhyamam ragam set to Adi talam. In this varnam, the dancers portray Goddess Durga’s battle with the powerful and arrogant buffalo demon, Mahishasura. After intense penance, Mahishasura received a boon from Lord Brahma that no male god or human could kill him. Believing himself to be invincible, he began spreading havoc across Earth and Devaloka. To end the destruction, Maa Shakti descended in the form of Goddess Durga to defeat him. Mahishasura had the ability to shift between mighty buffalo, lion and human forms. In this episode, the dancers depict how he evaded Durga’s attacks by repeatedly changing form, until he returned to his part- human, part-buffalo form, allowing Goddess Durga to pin him down and slay him. THE PROGRAMME

ASHATAPADI Srita Kamala, the second Ashtapadi (an eight-couplet song) from Jayadeva’s 12th century Sanskrit masterpiece, the Gita Govindam. Set in Ragamalika and Rupakam talam, a 3 beatcycle, this devotional hymm praises Lord Vishnu (Hari) and his eighth reincarnation as Lord Krishna, describing his divine form, ornaments, heroic deeds and victory over demons. Every couplet in this rendition concludes with “Jaya Jaya Deva Hare”, an ecstatic cry of “Glory and victory to the Supreme Lord Hari!” SRI RAMA BHAJAN Sri Rama Chandra Kripalu, a famous 16th-century devotional hymn by the poet- saint Goswami Tulsidas, written in a blend of Awadhi and Sanskrit. It praises Lord Rama as the embodiment of compassion and beauty, the one who removes the fear of worldly existence. The verses poetically describe his divine beauty—his lotus-like eyes, hands and feet—and his gentle, merciful nature. Rendered in Yaman Kalyani Ragam and set to Misra Chapu Talam (a 7-beat cycle), this hymn captures the essence of devotion and urges devotees to surrender to Lord Rama’s grace. THE PROGRAMME

TILLANA A pure dance, or nritta, item featuring intricate footwork and hand movements based on the pancha jatis, the five core rhythmic counting systems. These include Chatusra jati (4 beats: Tha- Ka-Dhi-Mi), Tisra jati (3 beats: Tha-Ki-Ta), Khanda jati (5 beats: Tha-Ka-Tha-Ki-Ta), Misra jati (7 beats: Tha-Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka-Dhi-Mi), and Sankeerna jati (9 beats: Tha-Ka-Dhi-Mi-Tha-Ka- Tha-Ki-Ta). This Tillana is presented in Kapi Ragam set to Adi Talam. HANUMAN CHALISA A famous 16th-century devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the divine monkey-god, supreme devotee and messenger of Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. Written in Awadhi by the poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas, it consists of two introductory couplets, known as dohas, and 40 verses, or chaupais, from which the name “Chalisa” is derived. This piece is presented in Ragamalika and set to Chatusra Eka Talam, a 4-beat cycle. THE PROGRAMME MANGALAM Mangalam means “auspicious ending” and is the traditional final item in a Bharatanatyam repertoire. It is a short verse of blessing and gratitude, in which the dancers bow to offer thanks to God, the guru, the orchestra and the audience before descending the stage. This Mangalam is based on Annai Tandai, a composition by Guru Rajee Narayan, presented in Ragamalika set to Adi Talam.

WITH GRATITUDE Thank you to our guru, musicians, families, friends and all those who have been part of this beautiful journey. Your love and blessing mean the world to us. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU.