Kritika Sukumar, daughter of Mala and Suku V. Sukumar, gave a scintillating debut of Bharathanatya Arangetram during the summer of 2009 at Robbinsville High School, New Jersey.  A junior at West Windsor Plainsboro High School South, Kritika has been learning the ancient art since the age of seven and came under the advance tutelage of Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan for the past six years.

Her presentation commenced with the traditional invocatory item, Thodaya Mangalam, a tribute to Lord Gnana Sabesa , the presiding deity of Vazhuvur in Thanjavur district.  Then, she performed various dance items depicting the range of Bharatanatyam repertoire and incorporating the three essential elements nritta nritya , and natya of the ageless art. The accompanying orchestra led by the Guru Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan (nattuvangam) featured talented artists Srishuka Krishnamurthy Shikaripura (vocal), Srihari Rangaswamy (mridangam), and Narasimhamurthy Ramamishra (flute) seamlessly graced the occasion and added liveliness to the dainty performance.

The audience responded enthusiastically to Krithika’s performance as she displayed her mastery of the dance items with elegance, expression, and an evergreen smile.  Particularly, the 45 minute long varnam and her padams Guthithodi Vaarai Guhane Vishama Kaara Kannan , and Govindan Kuzhalosai Kettu brought out not just the intricacies of the composition but as well, cheers from the spectacular crowd.

The local and nearby nagarathars, friends, and family members braved the pouring rain and thundering clouds and poured in large numbers to attend the thundering performance. The event brough Krithika’s aaya and aiya came all the way from India. The surprising elements of the event were that Krithika’s sister Kavya portrayed as Bala Muruga, performed along with Kritika in the dance item,  Guthithodi  Vaarai Guhane.

This event would have been just not possible without the timely help and active participation of local nagarathars and friends. On the day of arangetram, these folks literally took over the program and made sure every aspect of the event come out smoothly. The Sukumars are greatly indebted to them for such a unique display of unity and friendship.