Phoenix dancer celebrates her arangetram: “a journey of devotion, discipline and divine grace”

FOR 21-year-old Nitara Ganasen, from Phoenix, the stage lights of her arangetram, a dancer’s debut solo performance in Bharata Natyam, marked far more than the culmination of years of practice. It was, in her words, “a momentous and blissful milestone; one that fills me with immense gratitude”. 

Her arangetram took place at the La Mercy Shree Radha Krishna Temple with 80 people in attendance. 

Currently a third-year Bcom law student, Ganasen has spent much of her life balancing academics with her passion for classical Indian dance. Speaking after her performance, she described her arangetram not as a conclusion, but as a sacred beginning.

“I see it not as an end but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, devotion and discovery through dance.”

The road to her debut was not an easy one. Ganasen explained that the months of preparation required dedication both on and off the dance floor.

“There were so many things to coordinate, from catering to the venue and everything in between. I am beyond grateful to my parents for taking care of these details so beautifully. Their love and support made this day possible and I feel truly blessed to have them in my life.”

Her training schedule was rigorous, two to three classes a week, each lasting several hours, and even longer rehearsals in the final week.

“The week leading up to the arangetram was especially intense, with four-hour rehearsals almost every day. It was tiring, but through it all, I drew strength from my supreme queen, Adi Parashakti, whose divine energy carried me through every step of this journey.”

Ganasen’s most profound moment came during the varnam, the central and most demanding item in Bharatha Natyam.

“I had particularly struggled with this piece. It was nearly half an hour long and tested every bit of stamina and skill I had. Once I stepped onto the stage, I simply prayed to my Lord and asked that He take over. Towards the end, as I bowed to Him, I felt His divine presence so strongly that I could no longer hold back my tears. It was a moment of pure surrender, grace, and connection that I will cherish forever.”

Ganasen’s love affair with Bharatha Natyam began at age 10 after watching a program called ‘Shivanjali’, where her guru, Shri Kubendren Pillay, performed.

“From that very moment, I was completely captivated by the art form and knew I wanted to learn it. My guru has been my greatest inspiration ever since. I pray that one day I can become even half the dancer he is. It is not just his technique or grace that move me, but his passion, devotion and bhakti (devotion). Those are the qualities I aspire to embody through my own dance journey.”

Over the years, Bharatha Natyam has shaped her both as a dancer and as a person.

“It has taught me discipline, patience and dedication. Growth does not only come from perfecting each step, but from understanding the emotion behind it. It’s more than a dance form. It is a spiritual journey. Each performance feels like an offering, a way to connect with the divine and share that energy with others.”

Ganasen credits her family for being her unwavering support system throughout her journey.

“My family has been my greatest source of strength. From their words of encouragement to ensuring that every detail went beautifully, they have stood by me through both the challenging moments and the magical ones.”

For  her, this milestone is only the beginning.

“My rangapravesham (dance performance) is only the beginning of my journey as a dancer. I plan to continue learning and growing under the guidance of my guru until the Lord deems me ready to pass on His divine art to the younger generation.”

Her journey, she says, has been one of growth, devotion, and self-discovery, a sacred dance between discipline and divinity.

“What began as a 10-year-old’s fascination soon became an inseparable part of who I am. Through every adavu (rhythmic unit of dance within a specific tempo), every correction and every performance, I have learned that Bharatha Nayam is far more than movement, it is meditation in motion. Each time I dance, I feel the presence of my supreme queen Adi Parashakti and my Lord Namah Shivaya guiding my steps.

“Though my arangetram marks an important milestone, I know this is only the beginning of a lifelong path of learning, service and devotion. All praises and glory unto the Most High,” said Ganasen.

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