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Regional - NY/NJ/CT
January 22, 2011 - 10:09pm | 
MEENA CHANDRASEKAR'S ARANGETRAM
On July 24th, 2010, Meena Chandrasekar a sophomore at WWPHSN, and daughter of Lalitha and Chandrasekar Meyyappan, native of Shanmuganathapuram, performed her Bharatanatyam "arangetram" to a packed house of about 500 people in East Brunswick Performing Arts Center, NJ. The accompanying orchestra featured talented and seasoned artists from India, lead by renowned vocalist, Mrs. Bama Visweshwaran.
The program started with a prayer song by the famous "chinnakuyil of NJ", Mrs. Anitha Krishna, who had composed a brand new song for the occasion. Meena performed 8 dance pieces depicting the range of the Bharatanatyam repertoire as well as a range of compositions - from the classical "Ruthra Thandavam - Bho Shambo" by Swami Dayanandha Sarawathi to a novel padtham based on the commercial "Chinnanchiru Pen Pole" movie song by Seergaali Govindharajan. Meena had everyone entranced with her nimble footwork, her fine technique and story-telling talent, and evocative expressions and mudras (hand gestures).
Meena performed a 30 minute intricate and elaborate varnam in Kaapi Ragam on ThamizhKadavul, Lord Murugan. Varnam is the ultimate test of the performer's mastery of the dramatic elements through coordination of facial expression, hand gestures and intricate footwork. Meena executed this piece with grace and depth of feeling, moving the audience to experience rasa (aesthetic flavor), bhava (emotion), and abhinayam (expression). A well renowned dance teacher/enthusiast in the NJ area, (MR(s). Ramya RamNarayan)'s comment in the guest book says it all: "Meena, your execution of the Varnam was excellent! Keep it up!"
Among the audience was Meena's grandparents Mrs. & Mr. KR. Arunachalam (flying in from Chennai), her athai & mama Mrs. & Mr. SV. Muthunachiappan (Toronto), her mama & mami Mrs. & Mr. Ganesan Arunachalam (California), uncles Mr. Swaminathan Manickam (Boston) and Mr. KS. Arunachalam (Texas) and several of her first and second cousins from all over U.S. Her brother Dr. Thenappan Chandrasekar, a resident at UC Davis, surprised everyone at the last minute, flying in from California just for 6 hours, making the event complete and emotional!
Program also included a 5 minute slide show of Meena's "growing up" memories, a 10 minute speech on Bharatanatyam by the famous Prof. Ku. Gnanasambandam from India, speeches by Meena's grandfather & uncle and her close friends Aditi, Shivangi, Priya & Ashwini. Appetizers, coffee and dinner was catered from famous restaurants in NJ and was enjoyed by all. The North East Nagarathar community pitched in to help the Meyyappan family, and made this a memorable nagarathar event of the year !
The audience was mesmerized by the remarkably polished two hour performance this sixteen-year-old gave as her final exercise for her guru, the respected and renowned Bharatanatyam exponent and teacher, Mrs. Selvi Chandranathan. Audience was impressed all over again with the maturity of her thank you speech - she sagely observed that the arangetram was not the end of her studies, but merely the beginning of a new journey. She deserved every bit of the enthusiastic applause she got at the end of each intricate "Jathi" and the standing ovation at the show's end.
On July 24th, 2010, Meena Chandrasekar a sophomore at WWPHSN, and daughter of Lalitha and Chandrasekar Meyyappan, native of Shanmuganathapuram, performed her Bharatanatyam "arangetram" to a packed house of about 500 people in East Brunswick Performing Arts Center, NJ. The accompanying orchestra featured talented and seasoned artists from India, lead by renowned vocalist, Mrs. Bama Visweshwaran.
The program started with a prayer song by the famous "chinnakuyil of NJ", Mrs. Anitha Krishna, who had composed a brand new song for the occasion. Meena performed 8 dance pieces depicting the range of the Bharatanatyam repertoire as well as a range of compositions - from the classical "Ruthra Thandavam - Bho Shambo" by Swami Dayanandha Sarawathi to a novel padtham based on the commercial "Chinnanchiru Pen Pole" movie song by Seergaali Govindharajan. Meena had everyone entranced with her nimble footwork, her fine technique and story-telling talent, and evocative expressions and mudras (hand gestures).
Meena performed a 30 minute intricate and elaborate varnam in Kaapi Ragam on ThamizhKadavul, Lord Murugan. Varnam is the ultimate test of the performer's mastery of the dramatic elements through coordination of facial expression, hand gestures and intricate footwork. Meena executed this piece with grace and depth of feeling, moving the audience to experience rasa (aesthetic flavor), bhava (emotion), and abhinayam (expression). A well renowned dance teacher/enthusiast in the NJ area, (MR(s). Ramya RamNarayan)'s comment in the guest book says it all: "Meena, your execution of the Varnam was excellent! Keep it up!"
Among the audience was Meena's grandparents Mrs. & Mr. KR. Arunachalam (flying in from Chennai), her athai & mama Mrs. & Mr. SV. Muthunachiappan (Toronto), her mama & mami Mrs. & Mr. Ganesan Arunachalam (California), uncles Mr. Swaminathan Manickam (Boston) and Mr. KS. Arunachalam (Texas) and several of her first and second cousins from all over U.S. Her brother Dr. Thenappan Chandrasekar, a resident at UC Davis, surprised everyone at the last minute, flying in from California just for 6 hours, making the event complete and emotional!
Program also included a 5 minute slide show of Meena's "growing up" memories, a 10 minute speech on Bharatanatyam by the famous Prof. Ku. Gnanasambandam from India, speeches by Meena's grandfather & uncle and her close friends Aditi, Shivangi, Priya & Ashwini. Appetizers, coffee and dinner was catered from famous restaurants in NJ and was enjoyed by all. The North East Nagarathar community pitched in to help the Meyyappan family, and made this a memorable nagarathar event of the year !
The audience was mesmerized by the remarkably polished two hour performance this sixteen-year-old gave as her final exercise for her guru, the respected and renowned Bharatanatyam exponent and teacher, Mrs. Selvi Chandranathan. Audience was impressed all over again with the maturity of her thank you speech - she sagely observed that the arangetram was not the end of her studies, but merely the beginning of a new journey. She deserved every bit of the enthusiastic applause she got at the end of each intricate "Jathi" and the standing ovation at the show's end.
Deepavali
Northeast region celebrated Deepavali, the festival of light, grandly at Hindu Samaji Center, Mawah NJ on November 13th, 2010. Over 85 families approximately 300 people attended the function. The program started at 3pm and went on until 10pm.
The function started with "Prayer" song followed by various cultural performances including dances,vocal, fancy dress and instrumental performances. Kids of all ages and adults had the opportunity to exhibit their talents. Speeches were delivered by both EC committee and Marriage Committee. Several couples participated in the Jodi Porutham.
Attendees were severed with tasty dinner and the function concluded by distributing certificates for the participants.
Organizers: Alamelu & Palaniappan Ganesan; Sivagami & Swami Chettiar; Sushela & Ramu Ganapathy; Vallikannu & Senthilnathan Lakshmanan
Pillayar Nonmbu
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Category: New York & New Jersey