Nashua, NH — This summer at Nashua High School North, an auditorium filled with family, friends, and rasikas of classical arts witnessed a significant milestone in the artistic journey of young dancer Shriya Dave: her Arangetram.
Presented under the guidance of her Guru, Smt. Preethi Ramesh, the event marked Shriya’s formal solo debut in Bharatanatyam, the ancient classical dance form of South India. It was a culmination of over a decade of disciplined training, and Shriya’s performance reflected both technical command and emotional depth.
The evening began with a Pushpanjali in Ragam Saraswathi, invoking blessings from the Divine, the Guru, and the audience. This was followed by Shambhu Natanam, a piece centered on Lord Nataraja’s cosmic dance. Shriya brought to life the powerful verses of Sage Patanjali with clarity, rhythm, and expressive precision.
One of the unique highlights of the evening was a Carnatic vocal interlude by Shriya’s younger brother, Aarav Dave, who performed “Shyamale Meenakshi” and “Varade Veena Vadini” under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Aparna Balaji. Aarav’s performance added a personal and familial touch to the program.
Shriya continued with a Jathiswaram in Ragam Vasantha, where her geometric precision and rhythmic control stood out. The performance was followed by a rare Sitar and Mridangam Jugalbandi, blending Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. Dr. Samya Bhaduri (Sitar) and Srivatsan Mukunthraj (Mridangam) collaborated in an evocative exploration of Raag Yaman/Ragam Kalyani, creating a memorable musical dialogue.
The centerpiece of the evening was a Varnam – Adi Sivanai in Ragam Todi and Adi Talam, a complex and expressive piece that demanded both physical and emotional stamina. Choreographed by Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh, this Varnam showcased Shriya’s depth as both a dancer and storyteller.
The second half of the recital opened with “Payo Ji Maine”, embodying the joy and surrender of Meera Bai, followed by “Jal Kamal Chhandi Jane Bala”, a Gujarati folk-inspired piece that portrayed the legend of Krishna and Kaliya. Through these pieces, Shriya demonstrated not only technical skill but also an ability to connect deeply with the narratives she portrayed.
She concluded with a Thillana in Ragam Surya, a lively piece celebrating rhythm and pure dance, and ended with Mangalam, offering gratitude to all present.
The event featured a distinguished musical ensemble, including:
- Nattuvangam: Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh and Sri. Kiran Pai
- Vocals: Sri. Rajesh Malayankandi, N. N. Sivaprasad, Sangeetha Sudhaman
- Mridangam: Sri. Sudhaman Subramanian
- Violin: Sri. Suresh Namboodiri
- Flute: Sri. Bishoy Aniyan.
The evening was also graced by Guest of Honor Subrata Das, whose presence recognized the cultural significance of the performance and its connection to the broader world of Indian performing arts and literature.
Shriya’s Arangetram was orchestrated with thoughtful attention to every detail, from makeup by Anu Metra to photography by Jeyakumar Sathyamoorthy, videography by Manoj Panicker, and event decoration by Anitha Athipathi. Lavanya Selvaraj designed the event brochure, and Mark managed light and sound.
As Master of Ceremonies Ramya Srinivasan noted, “This was not just a performance, but a memory etched in tradition and love.” The event reflected not only Shriya’s personal commitment but also the vision and mentorship of her guru, and the unwavering support of her family and community.
As she steps into the next chapter of her artistic journey, Shriya Dave carries forward a rich legacy—rooted in discipline, nurtured by devotion, and brought to life with grace.
