Arangetram Drummer

For several years, my boyfriend-then/now-husband and I shot Indian Arangetrams. I could explain from what I know, but the Mighty Google's AI version sums it up so well, I'll just use their description:

"An Arangetram is the formal debut, or first solo performance, of a South Indian classical dancer following years of rigorous training in forms like Bharatanatyam. The term "Arangetram" is Tamil for "ascending the stage" and signifies the dancer's transition from student to independent performer, enabling them to teach the art form to others. The performance follows a specific structure with different pieces, serving as a celebration of commitment to the art and a public showcase of the       dancer's technical and artistic achievements.  

"It is the first time a student of Indian classical dance performs a solo recital on a public stage. It marks the completion of extensive formal training and the beginning of the dancer's professional journey. The performance serves to validate the dancer's skills and capabilities in front of a wider audience and community. 

"The Arangetram is a formal blessing by the guru, recognizing the student's readiness to perform independently and continue the tradition. It introduces the dancer to the broader community and can lead to future performance and teaching opportunities. While symbolizing the end of a training phase, it is equally the start of the dancer's solo career. 

"The performance showcases the dancer's mastery of intricate footwork, expressive gestures, and sophisticated abhinaya (acting through facial expressions and body language). Dancers often wear traditional costumes and temple jewelry, connecting the performance to rich cultural heritage. 

"A performance typically lasts a few hours. Guests often dress formally in traditional Indian attire like sarees or salwar kameez. Guests may bring a bouquet or other token of appreciation for the dancer."

I'm almost positive the gallery photo was from the first one we shot. We literally shot thousands of images during each of these recitals and, even after culling them down, we would end up with 500+, so it was difficult to find which arangetram it was taken.

Though it was a lot of work, this was something that I personally really loved doing. I've always loved learning about other cultures and this was a peek into a world I knew very little about. 

The dancers' outfits come from India, with the girls and their families traveling to India to pick fabrics and have them made. They were absolutely gorgeous. The band also often comes from India (if the parents can afford it because the band itself is expensive plus, travel isn't cheap). 

This is where our gallery photo comes into play. During one of the early recitals, the dancer had a full band. The dancer's parents told us that they came from India and were highly recognizable there. In other words, they were big stars. 

During the rehearsal, we were taking photos of everything. We knew this was a big deal and I wanted to take them home and look at them to make sure they were the best they could be so we would be fully ready to shoot the recital.

My then-boyfriend/now-husband, also a drummer, saw the drums and knew he had to get images of them. The gallery photo was our favorite.

The dances themselves were incredibly intricate and beautiful. The reason I would end up with so many photos is that every few seconds there was a different combination of a move. The dancers' eyes, hand shapes, and foot work were all perfected by the time the dancer made it to this level, but they changed constantly throughout the performance. To say that that the dancer is expressive is an incredible understatement.

Many of the dances are stories. Like an opera, even though the story isn't explained most of the time (occasionally there is narration), it's easy to understand the general idea from the dance.

Most of the girls have been intensely studying this form of dance since they were three or four years old. At least in our experience, they were also all over-achievers, with very high GPA's, involvement in several academic extracurriculars, and were often leaders.

As far as the event itself, I describe it as similar to a quinceañera or even a wedding. It's very formal and the family usually provides a traditional Indian meal afterward. Often many of the younger dancers' mothers help make the food and put it out, as well as setting everything up. The lobby is lavishly decorated and includes banners and photos of the dancer, some life-size. Indian ornamentation as well as peeks of their household gods fill the lobby. 

One interesting and unique aspect of this recital is that during one of the times the dancer changes outfits, they have friends, family and teachers talk about them. This time is called "Vote of Thanks." These range from funny to very serious but the dancers are always highly praised. 

Another is that there is a lavishly decorated area on one side of the stage that is a tribute to the family's main god. They put a tray of food for it and the dancer bows to it before and after the recital. 

At the end of the recital, the dance teacher gives a certificate to the dancer. As the Mighty Google's description mentioned, it then gives the dancer the ability to teach, if desired.

Writing all of this made me miss those days... I'm just very thankful I got to experience this wonderful expression of both Indian dance and culture at all.

                           (First four images by Travis Frontz; others by Tracy Riggs Frontz)

  

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