After Arangetram

KB · Post by KB » 17 Mar 2009, 13:36

Hi.

I have been asked to speak on life after arangetram for an upcoming function - the trials, successes, steps forward etc. I know from my own experience what some of them might be, but i would like to hear your views inorder to give a well researched message. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tx!

saramati · Post by **saramati** » 17 Mar 2009, 19:27

For many students pursuing classical dance, arangetram is a milestone. All their formative years in dance, and in the succeeding years of practice, they have arangetram in their minds. Once this benchmark is achieved, there could be a sense of complacency setting in. I am not saying that such attitudes will most certainly set in, but the risk of a sense of achievement and contentment might settle in their minds. As a result, there could be dropouts after arangetram. The truly dedicated dancers who are serious and passionate about this art form would be the ones who will pursue it with the same gusto even after the arangetram. This is just my personal view point.

kzivraj · Post by **kzivraj** » 17 Mar 2009, 20:03

I completely agree with Saramati. Those dancers who are truly interested in the art form will continue with the same enthusiasm as before. I think arangetram is just the beginning of a dancer's journey. Dance like any art form is a dynamic process which is learnt throughout life. There is no end to it.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 17 Mar 2009, 20:33

For serious students, I would think of it in stages, and one can figure out what effort will be needed (issues, resources etc) at each stage, as well as the potential rewards/benefits. Of course, ultimately, I would think that there is a nice balance of talent, promotion, and luck that determines final success.

Stage 1: arangETRam

Stage 2: Continued learning - pursuing excellence in interpretting someone else's choreography
Can pursue further studies under the same teacher, or someone else from the same style/school. On the other hand, some studnets may chose to pursue a totally new style to gain more exposure, experience
Take special/advanced classes on abhinaya
Take advanced classes in rhythm, breaking down jatis, learning to create kOrvais, muktAyams etc.

Stage 3: (A stage that lasts for the lifetime of the dancer) Begin own choreography - stages to prepare for this will include making sure one understands the music well, understands different languages, acquiring the ability to understand the sentiment of the piece in total, and finally, the ability to transform and express this through movement.

Up untill Stage 3, the presentations can only called recitals (presenting that which was taught), but from Stage 3 on, they become performances.

Ideally, teaching should begin at or slightly before Stage 3.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Mar 2009, 21:11

First step in a career in medicine or engineering, isn't it?

But, seriously, rshankar's post is a fascinating insight into the real thing.

I'm curious to know... For the intending professional performer, is the arangetram required or is it optional?

Srividyaram · Post by **Srividyaram** » 18 Mar 2009, 00:20

I agree with Shankar in all aspects. Also I think in Stage 1, the focus should be to learn more of 1 item, For example while learning the margam, the Guru teaches 1 Jastiswaram, 1 Varnam etc. The life as a dancer only begins after the arangetram. Hence there should be some more years spent to learn more and to have a better repository.

There should be a lot more of the padams and Javali's learnt which help in developing and understanding abhinayas better.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 18 Mar 2009, 10:54

I think the only requirements to be a professional dancer, in theory, are talent, practice, and sincerity. Connections do help a LOT! The arangetram as a function (read: grand celebration which has more to do with social life and not dance) is not a requirement. There are several performers and even teachers out there who have never done their arangetrams. However, performing a complete margam is, because it is the core of Bharata Natyam. It is that journey of a margam which Balamma once described that I feel every dancer should experience.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 18 Mar 2009, 11:39

Unfortunately I think a common path for dance students is:
1. arangetram
2. take time off dancing to finish school/university
3. pursue career/family/other interests

KB · Post by KB » 18 Mar 2009, 13:58

Thanx everyone

saramati · Post by **saramati** » 21 Mar 2009, 11:52

KB, Please share your speech with us , if ok with you. you would have definitely shared your thoughts with several others too, other than this forum mebers. We may benefit out of the deliberations. thanks.

saramati · Post by **saramati** » 21 Mar 2009, 11:53

KB, Please share your speech with us , if ok with you. you would have definitely shared your thoughts with several others too, other than this forum mebers. We may benefit out of the deliberations. thanks.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Mar 2009, 01:06

mohan wrote:Unfortunately I think a common path for dance students is:
1. arangetram
2. take time off dancing to finish school/university
3. pursue career/family/other interests

Very much so, from what I see. Atleast in the U.S., the usual practise is to get the arangetram done in the junior or senior year. Most students move away from their home town for their college which breaks the weekly practise/learning schedule with the dance school.

One school around here offers interested post-arangetram dancers a chance to be part of the (paid) dance troupe associated with the school. That keeps the dancers motivated and goal oriented to learn further.

But the support by the audience is very poor. The arangetram of a dancer is so grand with attendance sometimes in excess of 1000. But the same school conducts a dance program consisting of post arangetram students with paid admission and the audience is only around 100.