Sarjan Shree Academy of Bharata Natyam presented the pleasing Bharata Natyam Arangetram, her debut performance at the beautiful Sanjeev Kumar auditorium in Surat on Sunday 8^th December. Prachi’s charming smile and her sincere efforts in showcasing the divine art form of Bharata, won her appreciation from the select audience.

Prachi Desai is the daughter of Himmat and Maya Desai and the disciple of Guru Jaimin Kanan who heads the Sarjan Shree Academy of Bharata Natyam and is credited for having trained several aspirants in the style of Bharata Natyam. Guru Jaimin Kanan and Guru Leena Kanan are among the foremost dance teachers in the diamond city of India and have already staged several Arangetrams.

It was a pleasure to watch Prachi smiling all the way, commencing with the invocatory Pushpanjali and culminating with the intricate Thillana. In the Varnam, Guru Jaimin introduced the novel idea of showcasing the dance as a shadow play, wherein the dancer is seen dancing behind the screen, hence it is only the shadow of the dancer that is visible and not the dancer. This was a novel attempt, but had the dancer executed the movements with meticulous detail, the impact would be greater. In the Varnam Prachi presented varied facets and anecdotes in the life of Lord Krishna

Prachi received fine orchestral support from Guru Jaimin Kanan for nattuvangam, commendable singing by Jayan Nair, mridangam by Manav Nair, violin by Mahendra Patel, flute by Shri Radhe, Shanknaad by Shukla Roy and the fine compere for the evening was by Rupaben Dadawala.

The distinguished guests of the evening were Bhagwanbhai Bodra, president of K V Mangukiya School, Surat, Ashok Patel, writer and educator, Geeta Patel, Public Speaker, Dr Jagdish Italiya of Sanskar Bharti Vidyalaya of Surat and Guru Vijay Shanker, Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent and eminent arts critic, Mumbai.

Prachi Desai spoke quite well, thanking the audience and said “I have been given the wings to fly but I wonder whether I deserve It”.

Prachi is studying chartered accountancy and doing the company secretary course too. She is a budding poet and has two poetry books to her credit, namely ‘The Untold Feelings’, publishied by Kathankan Publishing House and ‘Not So Sugar-coated Feelings’, published by Bookleaf Publishing House, currently available on Amazon.

By Guru Vijay Shanker