Arangetram

Posted by Some more thoughts.. (128.231.88.4) on November 13, 2006 at 11:30:35:

In Reply to: trying to clear the air... ? posted by dancer on November 13, 2006 at 09:46:31:

It is definitely useful to spend money on getting a live orchestra, a pair of costumes, nice jewellery, good but an affordable auditorium, Guru Dakshina etc. but it is not necessary to spend money on a huge auditorium, lots of food, special invitations, parties etc. Why is it such a huge shame to do Arangetram in a small scale? Who are we trying to impress by spending so much money? If it is all about showing that the student is ready to give public performances, why should it be done in such a grand manner ? Why can't it be done at a common place like the temple and made open to the public to come and decide if the student is upto the mark or not? That way, word of mouth alongwith a small advertisement in the local paper/TV channel/internet is enough.

Also,if Arangetram is an event to just show off that the student has learnt a little bit of Indian culture in a foreign land, why call it Arangetram and misuse the word? Why not call it something like "A Bharatanatyam performance" and leave it at that.

Arangetram should not be reason for learning dance. It should and will happen if the student is a talented and a deserving one. Is it necessary to perform an Arangetram if the student is not going to pursue Bharatanatyam any further. In this case, what is the message ? That "my child is really good at dancing but will not pursue it any further" or just that, "I don't care how my child dances, it is all about being on stage?" It will be interesting to take a survey of all the students,especially in the US, that did their arangetrams to see how many of them had actually taken it seriously and pursued it further.

Arangetram is about the quality of the student, not the quantity of money spent. Just because someone spent lavishly on an arangetram does not justify all the costs associated with it. How long are we going to give in to this unnecessary pressure from the society? Do all kids become doctors/engineers just because their friends do? Don't we understand and take independant decisions with regard to our life style. Why should the decision about Arangetram be based on how others did it? If parents are responsible enough to understand this art form including Arangetram and explain it to their children, I am sure this situation will change very soon. Since parents do not care enough to understand the significance behind this event, they succumb to what others do- be it right or wrong!