Sangeethaa Gopi

Sangeethaa,

Sangeethaa Gopi

Your arangetram was filled with emotions. What a maturity at this age! Where do I start!! Your costume, your make up, your smile, your dance, your involvement.. yes your involvement.. that’s what made today’s show a great success. I didn’t expect a 19-20 year old you, to be this involved in an Indian art form growing up in this country. The credit goes to Mrs. Ramaa for instilling it in you, to your parents who were/are in constant touch with Indian classical music at home, and for your Carnatic music knowledge, all you had to do was to just inhale it all in. Your arangetram today was an emotional one and will stay in my heart. It’s for keeps!! 

A bang entrance to a very different Anjali, followed by Shree Ganeshaya Dheemahi - Rathi’sversion was beautifully rendered. I never knew you could show Ganesha in soooo many different ways. I saw Ganesha all over the auditorium, I’m sure it’s one of your family’s favorite gods, you did justice to that! You had your smile from that song on till the end. I’ve become a big fan of your smile Sangeethaa. You showed variety in your smile.

We have all seen Krishan as a baby in almost every summer arengetram, but have not seen Rama’s toddler days. Not many dance teachers take it up, as there isn’t much to showcase. Balakandam in valmiki Ramayana says very little about Rama’s childhood days. I’m sure it’s the same in Tulasi Dasar’s version too. A dancer cannot cross a line when showing the baby ramabecause he was not a naughty child! He was goody two-shoes, too good that it’s boring..butRamaa aunty took up a challenge to showcase Rama and his kind heartedness in the song “Thumak chalat ramachandra” without overdosing on Rama’s childhood personality but showing more on Kousalya’s part. Very very cute expression of a real mom who dresses her child. I enjoyed when Kousalya smelled Rama’s hand after applying the vasanai dhiraviyam!  The closure of the song where the yuva- youth Rama walks away, the 1/4th turn you gave before exiting the stage .. that’s the Kodak moment (ask your Appa Amma if you don’t know what it means!!) Just like Dr. Shankar mentioned, that was better than a Bollywood and Hollywood movie. Your Varnam was my one of my favorites. Ramaa aunty knows me very well, and that I cannot stand a few Devi songs that shows the intense roudram on a repeat mode. But one minute you were a mahakali, the next minute you were a shantha swaroopi "MY" Kamakshi. Kanakadhara stotram by Latha aunty just took us to a divine place for few seconds. I enjoyed the contrast both in singing and in your dance.

I didn’t like that intermission after varnam only because I couldn’t wait to see what you had for us! But you know what, maybe I liked the break to collect my thoughts and appreciate what I had just witnessed. My high expectations for the second half grew to heights after seeing your first half!! You didn’t disappoint me one bit. I tried to explain the Kanakadhara story to Shreya, and she was like “Mom, no subtitles needed for such expressive bhaavam”. That sums it all up I guess. 

Did your parents and Ramaa aunty choose the songs knowing my taste.. Someone asked me yesterday if I chose the songs… it was a perfect match for me! I’m a very BIG fan of PanchaliSabatham in dance. But I have to give due credit to Dr. Sriram for this. He stole it away from all of you. The timing of that dices’ sound and the roll out.. Simply superb. Tears rolled my eyes when I saw panchali holding and on to her saree. I saw panchali and not you there. 

Your Bho sambho with udukai (damaru) was powerful. It looked like Aasai mugam, was written, sung, and choreographed just for you. Distress mixed in with shyness was the emotion I saw in you. Not too sad, because you didn’t lose him forever, not bubbly with love, because he is not near you.. just the right balance. What an honor and blessings for Rathi to sing this song written by her great grandfather. Rathi also stole my heart with that “aalolam” in her Thillana. 

Sangeethaa, I think it has to do with our name, I could see that you are an emotional person too and I was able to instantly connect with your dance right from the Anjali. Your mangalam was a touching end — a happy beginning to your dance career. Wishing you only the very best in your future. Keep up with that smile and the emotional attachment to bharathanatyam. Praying Kamakshi that she gives you guidance throughout your college days and career and Lord Nataraja for constantly being with you throughout your dance journey.

Love

Sangeetha Aunty