Arangetram orchestra artists of 2016 tour

Smt. Mytreyi Aravind, Vocal

Smt. Mytreyi Aravind (more known as S.R.Mytreyi), is a disciple of "Padma Bhushan" "Sangeetha Kala Acharya" "Kalaimamani" Sri P.S. Narayanaswami and "Kalaimamani" Dr Rukmini Ramani. Mytreyi was sown the seeds of Carnatic Music at a very tender age. She hails from a family of Attorneys and great connoisseurs of music. Her father Sri S R Ramkrushna Sastry was a disciple of "Sangeetha Kalanidhi" Late Sri D. K. Jayaraman. Mytreyi's quest for music is limitless and she desires to innovate while keeping traditions alive and intact. 

Smt. Mytreyi Aravind

Mytreyi has performed in almost all the prestigious stages in India like The Music Academy (Chennai), Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha (Mumbai), Kamani Auditorium (New Delhi), Narada Gana Sabha (Chennai), Kartik Fine Arts (Chennai), The Mylapore Fine Arts Club (Chennai), Rajalakshmi Fine Arts (Coimbatore) to name a few.

She's an A graded artiste of the All India Radio, Chennai. She has presented many concerts on AIR and Doordarshan. Mytreyi currently resides in the United States of America where she pursues her music with the able support of her husband Sri Aravind Sivakumar. Mytreyi has several accolades under her belt which include media interviews and reviews.

Sri. G. Ganesan, Mridangam artist

Sri. G Ganesan

G. Ganeshan had his training in Mridangam from Guru Hanumanthapuram R.J. Bhuvaragan for more than 20 years. His dedication and hard work & impeccable work ethics enabled him to climb the ladder of success at a very young age . He was awarded the Govt of India Scholarship, and the Best mridangist award from the VDS Arts Academy, Chennai, India. Ganesan has accompanied on the Mridangam to all the leading Dancers in the Bharathanatyam field. He has accompanied leading dancers like Uma Dhandayuthapahani, Parvathi Ravi Ganta Sala, K.J.Sarasa, Indra Rajan, Venniradai Nirmala (Film Actress) He has also accompanied with Haridwara mangalam A.K Palanivel (Tavil) & toured with him to Srilanka. He has also participated in all the prestigious Dance and Music Festivals in India and Abroad.

 He has toured Bangkok, Canada, Mauritius,Dubai & Srilanka. Ganesan has been featured in all major Tamil TV Channels like the Sun TV , Vijay TV , Raj TV & is a graded artist if All India Radio & Doordarshan. He also holds a bachelors degree in Music from the University of Madras. He has more than 15 years of teaching experience and has worked d a music instructor in Kola Saraswathi Higher Secondary), Papanasam Sivan Fine Arts Academy and at AVM Rajeswari Higher Secondary School. He has also trained several students privately who are performing musicians now. Ganesan’s creativity has enabled him to create his own style. His crisp tonal quality and modulation of sound production is musical and guarantees an artistic contribution to the Dance performance. After gaining experience for over 25 years, Ganesan received many accolades and awards and has also performed in many prestigious centers.

Sri. Madurai S Kannan, Violinist

Sri M S Kannan

Accomplished carnativ violinist M.S Kannan hails from a musical family .He is the son of well known Composer, mridangam artistMadurai T Srinivasan. Kannan had violin training from Kandadevi Chellam Iyengar & had advance d training from C.N Chandrashekar of All India Radio, Bangalore. Apart from being an accompanist, He is also a soloist. He is a B High grade artist of All India Radio, Chennai.

Kannan hold a bachelors degree from the Tamil Nadu Govt Music College. Kannan has accompanied all leading Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam Dancers in India & Abroad. Kannan has been featured in orchestras of leading South Indian Cine Music Directors for Movies including South Indian Music Maestro Ilayaraja. He has also participated in All India Radio, Doordarshan and private Channels Recordings.

Sri. Raghavendrachar Elamarthi, Flutist

Sri Raghavendrachar Ilamarthy

Raghavendrachar started learning vocal music at a very young age from Smt Alakananda.With excellent foundation in Vocal music he learned to play the flute from Sri R. Thyagarajan who is the son of the legendary Flute Maestro Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr N Ramani. Raghavendrachar gained recognition withhis unique blowing techniques & was awarded with many accolades & awards from various prestigious organizations. Raghavendra has been awarded titles like "Venu GanaMani" & Venu Ganan Rathna from Muisc organizations of India. 

Apart from being a solo artist, he plays for Bharathanatyam (South Indian Dance) progeams and Bhajans (Indian Devotional Songs). He has composed many Bharathnatyam repertoires like Jathi Swarams, Padams etc. Raghavendra has also worked in many commercials CD Productions as a Music Composer. He has been a Visiting Professor in the Tamil Nadu Government Music College & also worked as a Flute tutor at Chettinad Vidyashramam, & Kola Perumal Group of Schools. Raghavendra has served as the Secretary & Trustee of Triplicate Arts & Culture Trust, Rasarangam & Purandara Dasarangam. Raghavendra has been very successful as Indian Dance accompanist & is one of the sought after musicians in the field of classical dance and music in India

Bharatanatyam arangetram planning...

Arangetram Planning

I am writing this exactly after a month of my daughter's arangetram. Arangetram is a milestone in the dancer’s and parent’s life which requires a lot of planning. In our case the community and friends were extremely helpfull and all I had to do was to assign the responsibility to my friends. On the day of the arangetram, the only thing I did was walking around and watching things happen. 

Here is the basic planning idea. The timings are approximate and may vary depending upon the teacher, student and the place you live.

About a year before the Arangetram

As a parent, the first thing you want to do is to discuss with the dance guru to know if your child is ready. The readiness for Arangetram depends on the dancer. Some may be ready in 6 years and some may not be ready even after 10 years. A parent may think the child is ready to do it, but you need the teachers view on this definitely.

Have an idea of which month is appropriate to have the Arangetram. Plan to avoid exam time, SAT, ACT or PSAT etc.. vacation time, Major Indian festival times etc…

Think about the music. Discuss with your child and teacher if you need live orchestra or recorded music. If live orchestra is the choice, contact the musicians for a date and shop around. Please visit http://www.dancecostumesandjewelry.com/arangetram/ to get more details about other aspects of live orchestra.

Discuss with teacher about Jewelry and costume types, number of costumes changes etc..Generally two costume changes are fine.

Have a rough estimate on number of guests you are planning to invite.

Based on number of guests, contact local auditoriums and recital halls. Also make sure the orchestra is ok for that time.

Ask around for good photographers and video graphers and shop around. Since you have one year, you can get bargains ! Even though you have one professional video grapher and photographer, please ask couple of your friends to take video and picture. I planned everything, but missed on this part. Please plan on this and I am sure, your friends will be happy to help you.

Think of a time and plan about food depending upon the timings. Ask around friends about food vendors.

If the dancer does not have appropriate dance Jewelry, plan to buy it. 

If you are planning to have chief guests and guest of honor for the arangetram, think of some names and even talk to them about their availability.

About six  Months before Arangetram

Should have signed the contract with the orchestra and the auditorium.

Should have confirmed the chief guests if you were planning on one. 

Plan on costumes. You can buy sarees for the dress. But stitch it only 5 months before the program and get it before the photo shoot. Most young dancers grow and you don’t want to make the arangetram costume a year ago.

Order items for stage and front entrance decoration, if you are planning to do decorations.

If you plan to give gifts, this is a good time to order them

Plan on invitation – Electronic or print. Either case you have to start design it now.

Confirm photographer and videographer

Set a date for photoshoot

3 Months before Arangetram

Should have photos from photo shoot.

Should have confirmed the tickets and travel plan of chief guests

Should have confirmed the staying arrangements of the arangetram orchestra members.

Talk to close friends and families and assign them decoration and food area volunteering works.

Design of the invitation should be started now with pictures,  Orchestra ensemble and chief guests names.

Think about an MC for the program

Talk to the decorating person/contractor.

You should have jewelry, ankle bells and all the make-up accessories.

Complete the guest list.

Send the invitations with RSVP option.

RSVP should be mandated 15 days before the program date.

Sit with the food vendor and get the estimate.

One month before the Arangetram

Buy all the plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, cups etc…

Work on the onstage decoration statues/idols etc..You can borrow them from friends.

Setup a meeting with the theater/auditorium staff and talk about audio and lighting. Use professionals for these two. DO NOT use volunteer friends.

Finalize the arrangement of the dining area.

Collect/buy/order online all items for the arangetram stage decoration and front entrance decoration

Talk to the MC and write the flow of the program and verify it with teacher.

Print and frame the blow up pictures of the dancer if you are planning to do so

Make sure the raiser for the arangetram artists to sit is available in the auditorium. If not, plan to rent one.

2  weeks before the Arangetram

Once again talk to the decoration volunteers and contractors

Make a checklist of everything needed back stage

Make a checklist for everything need for food are

Make a checklist for everything need for the green room

Write all  speeches and  discuss them with teacher and MC

All the lamps and vilakkus need to be Polished

You should have closed the RSVP by now. Call the food vendor and tell the final count

 1 week before the Arangetram

Purchase water, drinks etc…

Order floral arrangements, plants, and floral bouquets.

Remind light and sound people, video and still photographers about rehearsals

Make sure your Iron costumes, check jewelry, ankle bells etc….

Do a rehearsal with live orchestra, 2 days before the program

The previous day of Arangetram

Transport the plates, spoons, napkins etc… and keep them in the dining hall area.

Transport lamps, flowers, pictures and other decoration items and keep them in place.

Have the tables for reception, greeting card box, sweet boxes etc…ready

Finish stage decoration as much as possible

Transport the raiser for the artists to sit and place it on the stage and decorate it.

Keep the chairs for the chief guests near the curtains

Keep two tables ready behind the curtains. One for dancer’s towel, water, juice, touch-up items etc.. and the other for keeping the gifts for the chief guests and artists.

Make sure the podium is decorated.

Keep the Nataraja statue and Vinayaga statue on stage.

Call the food vendor and remind him about the event timings etc. This is very important. I had two food vendors. One of them, who was bringing the tea and vada, came 1 hr late. I told him to be there at 3:30pm because the program was to start at 4:30. He came exactly at 4:30 !!! The program was delayed even though the dancer and orchestra was ready !

Transport water bottles and drink bottles and keep them in the dining area.

The day of Arangetram

Finish stage, foyer and dining hall decorations

Sweep the stage after everyone finished

Call volunteer heads and ask them to arrive at the venue 3 Hrs before the program

 Five hours before

Start the make-up

Start the costume

Give clear instructions to volunteers and assures

Give the audio engineers and musicians enough time to tune the system and equipment. Do a trial run.

Call the before program snacks/tea vendor

Call the volunteers who are driving chief guest and make sure everything is ok...