Manisha (second row, second from left) performing Bharatanatyam for their ‘Salangai Poojai’ at the Chellapas Hall in Ipoh.
IT WAS a proud moment for seven-year-old P. Manisha as she performed Bharatanatyam in front of an audience of nearly 1,000 people after training for three years.
“I was not nervous because I really like Bharatanatyam and my dance master prepared me well,” said the youngest of three siblings.
“I want to continue improving my skills and hopefully become a famous Indian traditional dancer someday,” Manisha added.
The “Salangai Poojai” ceremony is a significant milestone in a Bharatanatyam dancer’s life and Manisha was honoured to get the chance to go on stage.
She was the youngest of 14 dancers who took part at the sixth “Chilamboli” event at Chellapas Hall in Ipoh, Perak.
They were joined by 25 senior dancers from Klang Valley as well as from Ipoh, Gopeng and Tapah in Perak.
The performance was held under the guidance of classical dance master Srimati N. Vignesgwari, who expressed pride in her students.
She described “Salangai Poojai” as a graduation ceremony after successfully completing years of intensive practice.
“It is a significant moment in their dancing journey as it shows their readiness to move from the foundational stage to a more professional level.
“Each performance also stands as a testament to the dedication, discipline and passion of the students for the divine art of Bharatanatyam.”
The event, attended by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, also featured traditional classical music performances.
“Such events play a pivotal role in ensuring our cultural heritage continues to survive and is passed down to the younger generation,” he said.
“I am proud to see the ‘Chilamboli’ becoming a stage for the expression of arts, not only for education but also to strengthen cultural unity in this country,” he added.
