About Dance Graduation by Poonam Phagu
October 27, 2008
A very wise woman, S.K. Satyavati Aunty, once said, “When there is darkness, light the lamp.” For me, dance has been that lamp, which is lighting the way to new directions and new experiences. But what is Indian classical dance and how is it applied to society? Why should a student have their graduation? Indian classical dance is a highly sacred art form that is authentic, aesthetic, and divine. It teaches the dancer basic rules that are applied in daily life and is a means of upholding society. A student must have their dance graduation so that they become self-realized and maintain their culture. Once they are able to graduate, the dancer is also considered a well-rounded, well-balanced individual. Unlike modern dance, which breaks tradition, classical dance teaches that dance is not just “jumping around the stage.” We learn that dance is the language of your heart and that people learn dance as a therapy for the soul.
When Gargi Aunty, my dance teacher, told me that I was ready to have my dance graduation, I was very excited. I had begun to lose interest in dance but now I felt that I had something to look forward to and my love for it was rekindled. After all, I knew that there was much work to be done and I could not waste a moment. Some graduates, such as Pooja Sahani and Amrita Chawla, shared their experiences with me. They told me that I would need discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and a lot of practice. I would have to be serious and mentally strong to deal with the stress and sometimes harshness associated with the preparation. If you have ever been backstage at a dance graduation (as I have), you know that everyone is nervous and you feel the tense atmosphere. There is a lot of pressure on the dancer as they are about to make their way onto the stage to dance for hundreds of people. Although I have not yet experienced this in the place of the dancer, I can still educate you on the preparation needed in order for the event to take place.
To understand what the dancer experiences, you must first understand the theory behind that traditional graduation. There are three levels; they are: (1) Manchapravesham, (2) Nritya Snathakam, more commonly known as Arangethram, and (3) Rangapravesham. The first level, Manchapravesham, is not very advanced and requires a minimum knowledge of 6 dance items. The second level, Arangethram, is more advanced and requires knowledge of at least 10-12 dance items. The third and highest level, Rangapravesham requires a minimum knowledge of 15-20 dance items. Rangapravesham is not only a dance debut but is also an oath of stay devoted to this art form in the future. However, no matter which level you are graduating, meditation is still needed to improve your balance and concentration. Meditation also helps you to gain mental confidence and upholds the mind and soul. It brings you closer to self-realization, without which you cannot give out the positive vibration needed to entertain the audience. So you see, the theory behind it is very important. Otherwise, the performance is “just a plastic show,” as Gargi Aunty refers to it as.
When the dancer receives permission for the Arangethram to take place, he/she then receives instructions on the tasks they must complete before they are ready for that special day. They must practice 10 hours weekly a year and a half in advance. They must have a very strong sense of rhythm and learn to flow with the music. The dancer must learn to give expressions in the dance that are full of emotion and must have dedication and devotion. They must have quick senses to pick up the dance and should be able to learn quickly through observation. Their listening power has to improve and they should meditate for a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Graceful body movement is also needed and the student should not have stage fright. He/she must have body and mind synchronization so they can focus better and gain control over their mind. The dancer has to know proper theory so give them inner power and so that they can give proper expressions. There must be a balance between body, mind, and soul, which will lead to the dancer obtaining perfection.
Discipline is also very significant. In Omna Ancient Art, the dance organization I am a part of, we have learned to be disciplined and follow the strict policies decreed by Gargi Aunty (although we still have lots of fun). As a student preparing for your Arangethram, you must fulfill your obligations. This includes practicing and putting all your effort into trying to gain perfection. Every year, you must take an exam that shows your level of knowledge on the physical as well as the theoretical aspects of dance. If you do not do well on this exam, then you cannot move forward ad advance. Your parents must also do their job as well. They must drive you to dance class (sometimes 4-5 days a week) and wait for it to finish so they can take you home again. They must pay the cost of classes as well as Arangethram expenses, which can amount of thousands of dollars. Another important thing your parents must do is to encourage you to do your best and support you as you work hard to achieve your goals.
Over all, my experience as a dancer has shown me that having your Arangethram takes a lot of hard work and practice, and not just anyone can do it. Having your Arangethram prepares you for life. In this world today, we have luxuries and comforts at our fingertips, but yet we are moving away from peace, which weakens our ability to deal with problems. Dance helps us to build the stamina needed to deal with stress and everyday conflicts. The solution to sadness is: dance. Preparing for my Arangethram has allowed me to see all of this and has made me a much wiser individual. I’ve learned to appreciate hard work and my confidence has grown. Mostly, though, I feel closer to God.
Poonam Phagu
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Choreography is a beautiful art indeed. Not only does it prepare you mentally for the stress and problems of everyday life, it is also an escape to another plane, where nothing matters but you. However, as you have learned the type of dance you are doing is very strenuous and rigorous, and you are on a strict diet, you might sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the work, dancing, school, latin tests, A.P Global tests and also Ms. Emmi. But remember, the happiness that will erupt from you as you graduate will be overwhelming, and you will truly be happy. There will always be stress, it’s really how you cope with it that makes you the individual everyone knows you to be, and of course everyone has high expectations of you, and duly so! No one can expect any less from Phagu, certainly i don’t. Good luck with everything, and remember I’m not going anywhere if you ever need help with anything.
P.S - You better show up on t.v.
(C.N.N SPECIAL!! MS. PHAGU’S SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE!!)
Wow, M.S. 210 regurgitated some pretty good writers. This was a very nice essay. Keep it up!
Thank you, everyone, for the comments!
Poonam, I’m so proud of you. All your hard work has paid off. Your graduation was a sucess, and your preformance was beautiful. Keep up the good work! I think you are a very unique individual, with a very bright future ahead of you, and I know you’ll make us all even more proud.