Krisha Arangetram

Arangetram is a granduation performance that is the part of the traditional format – the Margam ( path) . It reflects the different stages of the dancer’s consciousness . In Tamil (one of the south Inidan languages)Aranga means is raised stage and etram means climbing. Ii is also called as Rangaprevesha in Kannada (another South Indian Language) where Ranga means stage and prevesha means enter. Arangetram is test for the Sishya ( student) as well as the Guru (teacher) as the Guru’s knowledge and the Sishya’s talent are judged by the Public. So the Arangetram is done only when the Guru feels that the Sishya is capable and talented enough to perform the Arangetram. For performing this Arangetram the student must have atleast 10 to 12 years of training. Arangetram was known as Gejjepooje once in the Old Mysore District (the State of Karnataka in South India) which means worshipping the jingles in Kannada. In Tamil this is known as Salangai Poojai where Salangai means the jingles and the poojai menas prayers to God. The Sishya is not supposed to wear the Jingles until this ceremony is performed. However, this concept has changed slightly and the Salangai poojai or Gajjepooje is performed after a few of learning dance . And the Arangetram is performed after advance learning. The accompaniment include the singer, the Mridhanga Player, the Violin player and the Natvanga. Other instruments like veena , flute etc., are optional. These accompaniments play a very important role. The performer wears a lot of jewellary , make-up and specially stiched dress. Jingles are a must. The performaer must have a lot of stamina and concentration as he or she has to perform the Arangetram for about 3 hours. This time is divided into two parts.

 

The first part of the Arangetram comprises the following items.

Pushpanjali or Alaripu

Jathiswara

Shabdha

Varna

 

 

The second part comprises of

Padam

Ashtapathi or Devernama

Thillana

Mangala

 

Done