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REVIEW / REPORTTwenty years in rhythm- Sujatha Nagarajane-mail: sujatha.nagarajan@gmail.com August 16, 2026 Music and dance are art forms that bring joy and inner peace. Their genres, traditions, colors, and forms may differ, but their essence remains the same. I have always been drawn to the arts, no matter what shape they take. As a young girl, I longed to learn Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance form with deep roots in the temples of Tamil Nadu. For various reasons, that wish never materialized. Yet my fascination never faded. Whenever I watched a Bharatanatyam performance, I was mesmerized by the vibrant costumes, graceful expressions, and magical rhythm of the footwork.  So, when I received an invitation to attend the 20th anniversary celebration of Anjali Natya, founded and led by Guru Radica Giri, I was delighted. I had never attended a performance by the school or a solo recital by its guru, though I had seen many Bharatanatyam concerts over the years. I went with an open mind and no expectation other than to enjoy an evening celebrating twenty years of dedication to this beautiful art form. The warmth began even before the curtain rose. Guests were welcomed with high tea - delicious snacks, piping-hot tea, and desserts. The aroma of food, mixed with chatter, laughter, and smiles, created an air of anticipation for the evening ahead. I will not attempt to analyze the individual pieces; I lack the expertise to do them justice. I am simply an admirer - an aesthete and, happily, a fan girl.  The evening opened with melodious live music performed by an accomplished ensemble, immediately creating a mood of joy and serenity. The dancers began with a tribute to the sacred rivers of India. What first caught my eye were the costumes - vibrant and colorful, yet elegant and soothing. The simplicity of the stage provided the perfect backdrop, allowing the dancers themselves to shine. Then came the movement: rhythmic patterns, graceful formations, and seamless entrances and exits. I watched with wonder, my heart filling with appreciation. As the evening progressed, my mind seemed to split in two. One half wondered about the enormous effort, discipline, rehearsals, and dedication required to create something that appeared so effortless. The other half refused to analyze anything at all and simply wanted to surrender to the beauty unfolding on stage. With every number, my admiration for the school, the guru, and the dancers grew. I found myself thinking of other art forms - ballet, synchronized swimming, Broadway productions - where harmony among performers is the secret ingredient. Yet the synchronization I witnessed that evening was among the finest I had ever seen.  During our recent trip to Europe, we had the privilege of attending a Mozart concert and the popular musical Mamma Mia! We walked out of those theaters with the thrill and euphoria that great art can create. Yet this evening touched me differently. Perhaps it was the intimacy of the performance, perhaps the connection to an art form I had admired since childhood, or perhaps simply the beauty of watching years of dedication come alive on stage. Whatever the reason, I felt truly fortunate to be in that audience. As Anjali Natya celebrates twenty wonderful years, I came away feeling that this milestone is not merely a celebration of the past, but a beautiful promise of greater things yet to come. And there was one tiny, unexpected delight. Without knowing anything about the evening's color theme, I had arrived dressed in purple - the color that seemed to weave its way through the celebration. For a few hours, the little girl who once dreamed of learning Bharatanatyam felt just a little closer to the stage - not as a dancer, but as one very happy, purple-clad superfan.  Sujatha Nagarajan is a Bay Area–based writer with backgrounds in Computer Science and English, bringing together decades of experience in the technology industry with a passion for storytelling. She writes on art, culture, travel, family, and everyday experiences, while also exploring the evolving role of AI in human life and relationships. |
