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Solo performance of Larisa Podskocaja ARANGETRAM
12 September 2015 18:00 (Event completed)
A unique event, Bharata Natyam performer’s first ARANGETRAM in Latvia, is going to take place on the 12th of September, 2015, at the Riga Latvian Society House. Translated from Sanskrit, ‘Aranga’ means ‘stage’ and ‘Etram’ means ‘ascension’. Arangetram is organized when a guru, that is teacher, decides that a dancer is ready to face the audience as an artiste.
The structure of Arangetram has been developing over ages, with its roots in ancient times. The concert on the 12th of September will be conducted according to all necessary rituals, held both backstage and in front of the audience, the dancer’s guru and honourable guests. It will consist of the ancient temple repertoire choreography items, arranged according to the tradition.

Indian dance is a conversation with god. Dance themes and moods allegorically present the relations of human soul (nayika – female dance character) and divine incarnation of the universe (nayaka – male Vedic deity).
In the modern age classical dance performances are often adjusted to the audience’s expectations. The traditional programme MARGAM, i.e. ‘way’, that matches with the classical concert structure, nowadays is only present in this special concert format – Arangetram. During the Margam programme the dancer will go through the whole temple dance repertoire. Some of the ancient choreography types are simply impossible to include in a modern performance. Long dance drama and peaceful meditative prayers do not correspond to modern short and bright formats. However, this will add something unique and even sacral to Larisa’s performance, because the audience will be able to grasp a deep insight into the amazing ability of Indian culture to incorporate and harmonize various aspects of human life – artiste’s life path as a spiritual discipline, philosophy as a way of understanding art, religion as a motive and content of art.

For the dancer, preparing for Arangetram is a challenge to be ready to experience hard work (shramaha), loyalty to dance itself and teachers (shraddha), and mental matureness (medha). Traditionally, it requires about 10 or 12 years. The concert is prepared with a deep immersion into oneself and search for truth that doesn’t suggest viewers’ appreciation. Though, exactly this happens to be the reason for the appreciation to be true.

About the dancer:
Larisa Podskocaja is Indian classical dancer and dance teacher, Indian Culture Centre BHARATA Society founder and director. She took up Bharata Natyam in 2002, and has been running BHARATA studio since 2006. She has been teaching Bharata Natyam since 2005, and has trained several wonderful dancers over the past 10 years. She has received the appreciation and financial grant from the Indian Embassy for Sweden and Latvia for the high quality of performing and preparing dancers. Larisa’s initial teachers were Ilze Zarina and Anna Melngalve (ALEGRIA studio). She regards Pille Roosi ((Estonia, disciple of Chittra Vishveshvaran) as her guru. Bharata Natyam teacher Dmitry Zmeev (Russia, graduate of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, disciple of Leela Samson) has helped a great deal to improve Larisa’s dance technique and manner of performance, so she regards him as her mentor.
All Larisa’s teachers are taking part in her preparation for the Arangetram, and they will be present at the event on the 12th of September at the Latvian Society House.

For more detailed information call +371 29893978, or e-mail info.bharata@inbox.lv
Project:
Kultūra
Address:
Riga Latvian Society House