16/06/2023
The city of Fort McMurray witnessed a first-time-ever, one-of-a-kind, East Indian Classical Dance Arangetram Recital with a mesmerizing show, last weekend. With gracility and elegance, Bharatanatyam Dancer Nishka Rai, disciple of Guru Meenakshi Ganesan of Kalanjali dance company, USA captivated the audience for an impressive two-and-a-half hours which was held at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, on Sunday afternoon, June 11th, 2023. Accompanied by renowned musicians from North America, including Toronto B. Gowrishanker on Mridangam, Toronto A. Jayadevan on the Violin, and Surya Ganesan from San Francisco as the vocalist, Nishka Rai delivered a graceful and elegant performance. Akshaya Lakshmi, communication manager at Arts Council Wood Buffalo was the Master of Ceremonies for this event.
Bharatanatyam is an ancient Indian classical art form that dates back to the 3rd century BC. The term "Bharata" is derived from "Bhava" (emotions), "Raga" (melody), and "Tala" (rhythm), representing the expressive elements of the dance. "Natyam" translates to dance in the Sanskrit language. The Arangetram is a significant milestone for a student, marking their formal solo recital after 8-10 years of training. It serves as an opportunity for the teacher (Guru) to assess the student's readiness and introduce them to the community as a dedicated artist.
The recital commenced with Pushpanjali, a traditional invocation dance where the dancer seeks blessings from her guru, the Gods, and the audience. Pushpanjali, meaning "offering of flowers," involves the dancer presenting flowers as a gesture of respect and invoking divine blessings for a successful performance. Nishka then performed Bhaje Mrudanga, a beautiful composition in praise of Lord Ganesha. The third dance piece was Varnam, the centerpiece of the recital and the most challenging segment, lasting nearly 30 minutes. Varnam encompasses the portrayal of the nine human emotions described in the Natyashastra (dance scripture). This piece tests the dancer's years of practice and stamina. Following the dance pieces, Nishka performed Bho Shambo and Bhagyada Lakshmi, traditional pieces with intricate footwork and graceful poses. Nishka’s next piece was a vibrant "Thillana," accompanied by loud applause from the delighted audience.
During the facilitation, special recognition was given to Guru Meenakshi Ganesan, the orchestra, and the chief guests. Honourable Brian Jean expressed his happiness at being part of the event and expressed his hope that his daughter would be inspired to undertake similar endeavors to showcase culture and individuality. Isabelle Varney, the General Manager of Upgrader at Suncor Energy Base plant, greeted Nishka and wished her success in her dance journey and beyond.
Emma Carter from Arts Council Wood Buffalo also spoke about the significance of the occasion. Guru Meenakshi Ganesan awarded Nishka with a plaque for achieving excellence in Bharatanatyam Art form by performing her Arangetram. Nishka's proud parents, Laxmikant Rai and Vaishali Rai, also expressed their emotions. Laxmikant Rai became emotional while speaking about this proud achievement, and Vaishali Rai extended her gratitude to the Fort McMurray Indian community for their unwavering support in various aspects, including stage decoration, food preparation, and serving. Nishka Rai, the star of the show, also had a few words to say. She thanked her guru, the orchestra team, her parents, and some of her dance friends. As Nishka mentioned, “When I first started this art form, I was almost embarrassed about embracing its rich traditional values, unique costumes, and intricate jewelry. It seemed vastly different from what everyone else was doing. But now, I cannot imagine life without Bharatnatyam. The depth and beauty of this art form have captured my heart, and love to share this art form with the community. It’s a huge part of who I am now, and I am very glad I joined the Kalanjali School of Dance. Going forward, I hope to acquire a deeper understanding of this art form, and pass it on to the next generation”.
Nishka performed a devotional dance piece called Krishna Bhajan alongside her mother to conclude the event. The recital ended with "Mangalam," a brief finale in which the dancer expressed gratitude to God, her Guru, and the audience for their support and for the successful completion of the recital.
Delicious food was also prepared and served by the volunteers. As the Rai family reflects on this momentous day, they recognize the unity within the close-knit Indian community and express their joy in making this event possible. It has always been a dream of Nishka’s, who started dancing at the mere age of three. An arangetram does not mark the end of years of training or the graduation of the student, rather it signifies the readiness of the student to advance further in this art form. It is the blossoming of the student into a skilled and matured dancer. Nishka took part in this centuries-old tradition of a Bharatnaytam arangetram. The Rai family extends their gratitude to everyone who participated in this extraordinary occasion.
