Arangetram is a dream of every Bharatnatyam student. It is a step forward in the journey of dance.

After 10 years of formal training in Bharatanatyam, Dhriti Nair, daughter of Aarti and Rajeev Nair has reached the stage of Arangetram, scheduled on 28^th November, 2021 at The Mysore Association, Matunga East, Mumbai.

The event is supported by a charismatic orchestra with Saipriya Viswanathan on nattuvangam, vocalist Sri Siva Prasad N N, Sri R Sakthydharan on Mridangam, Kum. Mangala Vaidyanathan on violin and Smt. Hema Balasubramaniam on flute.

Dhriti owes the entire credit of her dance knowledge to her teacher, Saipriya Viswanthan, a recipient of the Government of India Merit Scholarship for Bharatanatyam, and Diploma in Music from the University of Mumbai, who initially studied Bharata Nrithyam under Dr. Jayashree Rajagopalan. Later, she went on to undertake training in Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Smt. Nalini Raghu, who belongs to the Pandanallur School of Dance. A professional Vainika (Veena player) herself, Saipriya is a multi-faceted artiste. She has played the background score for several advertisements, documentaries, and albums. She is the founder of Kalaa Kaumudi, a Center for the Fine Arts. Besides, Saipriya writes for several online websites and magazines. Acting is her passion and she is active in the Mumbai Tamil theater scene, she has appeared in several advertisements, films, serials, and web series as well.

Dhriti is a 12 th Grade Science student at The Somaiya School, Vidyavihar, Mumbai. Athletically inclined, Dhriti is actively involved in several sports – skating, swimming, squash, basketball, gymnastics, and aerial silk, to name just a few. The winner of many district level medals in sports, Dhriti is also the recipient of a State level gold medal in Aerobic Gymnastics and a National level gold medal in Aerial Silk as well. Passionate about Mountaineering, Dhriti attempted her first Himalayan peak, Mt. Friendship, at just 12 years of age. Thereafter, she scaled Mt. Gangotri III, which stands at a height of 21,000 feet above sea level.

Also interested in other extra-curricular activities, Dhriti loves to take part in her school’s debates, discussions, and other cultural activities. Kalaa Kaumudi presented the debut Bharata natyam performance by young talented dancer Dhriti Nair at the Mysore Association auditorium in Mumbai on Sunday 28th November. Dhriti, daughter of Aarti and Rajeev Nair is a 12th grade science student at the Somaiya School and is athletically inclined too and actively involved in skating, swimming, squash, basketball, gymnastics and aerial silk too.

Dhriti is the recipient of a State level gold medal in Aerobic Gymnastics and National level gold medal in Aerial silk. Dhriti is passionate about mountaineering too and attempted her first Himalayan peak, Mt Friendship at 12 years of age, thereafter she scaled Mt Gangotri III, which stands at a height of 21,000 feet above sea level.

In an exclusive interview with Guru Vijay Shanker, Dhriti Nair reveals her zest for life while participating in various events and winning laurels and accolades, quite early in life.

Since when are you learning Bharata natyam?

I started at the age of seven under the guidance of Bharata natyam exponent and Veena maestro Saipriya Vishwanathan, I love to dance and I feel it is quite an rejuvenating experience to dance this divine art form, trying to reach out to the supreme through the classical medium of Bharata Natyam.

Do you feel dance is a distraction?

Infact dance is an attraction that lingers all the while. It is all about concentration and time management of spending quality time in whatever you are interested and inclined to.

Are you planning on to become a professional dancer?

I have never thought on those lines, I enjoy dancing like the way I enjoy sports or mountaineering. Everything happens naturally, I don’t plan out things as such.

Have you thought of combining dance and gymnastics?

That is an interesting idea as both the disciplines need complete control over your body and movements, if I could combine grace and rhythm to it that could become an interesting experience, both for me and the spectators too.

Tell us your experience in mallakhamb and aerial silk?

I started learning tumbling gymnastics under Sunil Gangawane Sir and later shifted to aerobic gymnastics where I represented Mumbai Suburban district in 2018 and won the gold medal for Maharashtra state in individual event, I then tried my hands on rope mallakhamb and aerial silk I represented Maharashtra state and won gold in mixed doubles event in 2019. Both rope mallakhamb and aerial silk require  a lot of core strength, as they include a lot of twists, turns, falls, acrobatics and various poses made by body movements. It is a truly amazing experience to be on rope or silk and dance in air on the melody of some music.

What is the basic difference between mallakhamb and aerial silk?

In Mallakhamb you are closely in contact with a wooden pole which is in upright position, where you have to strike a chord with the pole, while executing various movements and turns but in aerial silk, the wooden pole is not there, it is your balancing act along with the silk rope which is tied to your feet and hands and you have to move and balance accordingly, it is not easy, it takes lot of effort and hard work to gain the confidence and move properly while maintaining the balance.

Which activity you enjoy the most?

Every activity is enjoyable, exciting and interesting, it all depends on your involvement and what makes you happy the most, I suppose aerial silk is very exciting, as it is not easy to balance, move and dance along the music that is provided, it is important to maintain the harmony of movements, while enjoying the act.

Your future aspirations?

To do well in life and give your 100 percent in whatever activity you are involved in.

Interviewed by Guru Vijay Shanker

Guru Vijay Shanker is a professional Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Bharata Natyam exponent, dance teacher, choreographer, actor and eminent arts critic for over four decades based in Mumbai. He can be contacted on email: vijaydance@gmail.com