Prasanna Jeer

An arangetram is the solo debut performance of a dancer who has been learning Bharatanatyam for many years and is ready to show their skills on a grand stage. To many, this is seen as a graduation from the beginning stages of dance and onto a higher, professional level. After one's arangetram, they are finally allowed to do solo performances on any stage with the consent of their teacher.

Years of preparation go into making an arangetram possible. The dancer is expected to complete an entire "margam" or repertoire on stage. A margam would consist of the following:

• Pushpanjali

• Alarippu

• Kauthuvam

• Sabdham

• Varnam

• Padam

• Keerthanam

• Thillana

• Mangalam

This order usually results in eight to ten dances during an arangetram with the varnam being the longest, ranging anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes. Once the arangetram is complete, the dancer has officially completed the first level of their journey with dance.