India is a country where we can see different cultures and traditions, and also different dance forms. Bharatnatyam is one among the Indian Dance forms. It is basically a South Indian Dance form which is extremely hard in its content and techniques. Pooja Pillai a class Xth student of St. Mary’s School, Mayur Vihar Phase-III, has bloomed as a classical performer of Bharatanatyam. Recently Lalit Kala Nrityalaya, a centre for classical arts has organized Bharatnatyam Arangetram of Pooja Pillai at Triveni Kala Sangam, Tanseng Marg, New Delhi. This remarkable evening of Bharatnatyam was presented by Pooja Pillai, disciple of Aarthi Shankar who has trained by one of the India’s eminent Bharatanatyam exponents Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Saroja Vaidhyanthan (Awardee of Padmashree).
The evening of Bharatanatyam started with Pushpanjali which was in the Raag Nattai , Adi talam – A traditional invocation in a Bharatnatyam recital and continued with Alarippu- which is a delineation of the minor limbs of the body like eyes, neck, shoulder and hands simultaneously using feet along with the body this item was also based on Raag Nattai, Tishra Gati talam followed by Jatiswaram- ‘Jati’ (rhythmic syllable) ‘swaram’ (melodic notes) is a harmonious amalgamation of ‘nritta’ and music based on Raag Thodi, Roopaka talam & Item Varnam- this piece is a combination of dance moments and ‘abhinaya’ (facial expressions) based on Dhanyasi Raag, Adi talam.
Pooja Pillai while performing
On this occasion Chief Guest Mr. H.S. Nag (M.D. H.S. Nag & Associates Pvt. Ltd.) said that “Indian classical dance & music are the mediums through which we can spread our Indian culture and tradition internationally, government need to establish more institutions which can train the youth in fine arts, so that we can forward this traditional dance forms to next generationâ€.
Other compositions ‘Devi Stuti’ (Raag Ragamalika, Adi talam),‘Shabdam’(Raag Ragamalika,Misrachapu talam), ‘Bhajan’ (Raag Ragamalika, Misrachapu talam), ‘Thillana’ (Raag Ragamalika, Adi talam) were appreciated by the audiences. Choreography of all items highlighted the simplistic, yet grand beauty of the dance form. Pooja Pillai performed at this Bharatnatyam eve with lot of enthusiasm & energy to entertain the audience. Pooja is also an ardent student of Carnatic Music, having equivalent interest in sports. Pooja has won many laurels for her performance in many competitions like Nehru Bala Samiti and MTNL Health Mela and dance festival at Gold Souk etc.
Pooja Pillai with Mr. H.S. Nag (M.D. of H.S. Nag & Associates Pvt. Ltd.), Mrs. Nag and Guest
She was accompanied with Aarthi Shankar – Nattuvangam, Smt. Satya Krishnaswamy –Vocal, R. Kesavan- Mridangam, and V.S.K. Chakrapan- Violin as orchestral team. Aarti Shankar who trained Pooja Pillai is a graded artiste of Delhi Doordarshan. She has performed all over India and abroad to promote Bharatnatyam internationally and received awards and titles like ‘Natyashree’, Mahakaal Sangeet Ratna, Kalashree & Bala Saraswati Award for her achievements as a young Bharatanatyam exponent.
— H.S.Communication
