Bharatanatyam graduate keen to perform for Indonesian president

The 13 students performing the bharatanatyam during a Salangai Pooja ceremony as part of their graduation ceremony in Ipoh.

AN Indonesian girl was among 13 students to perform the bharatanatyam during a Salangai Pooja ceremony in Ipoh, Perak.

Abigail Aishwarya Pany, 14, from Jakarta, is the first Indonesian to complete her formal study of bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance, at the Uma Baratha Nrityam Dance Academy.

Abigail trained for more than two years in the classical dance and took part in the ceremony where dancers performed the ritual of blessing their salangai (ankle bells), an auspicious item for bharatanatyam dancers.

The performance, which was held at the RTM Auditorium, was part of the students’ graduation ceremony.

“I started learning to dance at the age of seven – I will cherish this moment.

“I wish to bring this (classical Indian) dance to Jakarta and perform for the president of Indonesia one day,” said the Tenby School Ipoh pupil.

Abigail started learning to dance at age seven.

Among the other students were G. Yogajothi, T. Bhavatharani, T. Keerthika, K. Reashma, S. Kaliswary, K. Saadhana, P. Vharshaa, T. Sughanyadevi, T. Mrittikammah, K. Kesyalinee Thivya, R. Thivyasree and J. Rackshanaa.

In the Salangai Pooja ceremony, the salangai or ankle bells are blessed before being bestowed on the dancers by their teacher.

It signifies that the dancers have learned and mastered the basics of the classical dance.

The performance was accompanied by a live orchestra comprising the violin, flute, mridangam, a singer and the nattuvanar – the music conductor.

The students danced to 12 songs before an audience of 600 people.

They will next learn the arangetram (advanced performance) under the teacher S. Shrimathi Uma Thevi.