Sasha Jawahar’s Arangetram: A Radiant Celebration of Grace, Devotion, and Dance

In the heart of a lively New England summer, when every weekend seemed to echo with the sounds of nattuvangam, mridangam, and anklets, the community gathered for yet another cherished Arangetram celebration. On Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Littleton High School, Kumari Sasha Jawahar, disciple of Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh, ascended the stage for her Bharatanatyam Arangetram.

It was an evening filled with devotion, discipline, grace and the timeless beauty of Bharatanatyam.

The occasion was especially meaningful as Sasha became the 12th student to complete her Arangetram under the guidance of Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh. This milestone stands as a testament to Guru Preethi’s dedication, mentorship, and commitment to preserving and passing on the rich tradition of Bharatanatyam through the Sarasa Natya Academy.

The program opened with Pushpanjali in Ragam Arabhi, composed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. Sasha began her Arangetram journey with devotion, grace, and humility, seeking blessings from the Divine, her Guru, the musicians, and the audience. The opening was followed by a Vinayaka shloka, setting an auspicious tone for the afternoon.

In Murugan Kauthuvam, set to Ragam Shanmugapriya and composed by Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan, Sasha brought alive the valor, grace, and divine energy of Lord Muruga. This piece was especially rich in storytelling, portraying Muruga’s sacred six-syllabled name “Sa Ra Va Na Bha Va,” his majestic presence with the peacock, his connection with Valli, and his victory over Surapadman. Bringing a Muralidharan composition to life is no small task, not only for the dancer, but also for the orchestra, as it demands strong rhythm, sharp expression, dramatic clarity, and perfect synchronization. Sasha and the musicians rose beautifully to the challenge, presenting Muruga with confidence, strength, and expressive grace.

The Jatiswaram in Ragam Saveri, a pure nritta piece, allowed Sasha to showcase her technical training. Her crisp footwork, clean posture, rhythmic clarity, and joyful movement reflected discipline and control. The piece highlighted the beauty of Bharatanatyam technique without narrative, relying purely on rhythm, melody, and movement.

Swagatham Krishna brought a softer, joyful devotional mood to the stage. Sasha welcomed Lord Krishna with warmth and sweetness, capturing the playful charm of the divine flute player and protector. The choreography beautifully evoked the spirit of Krishna Jayanthi, the joy of welcoming little Krishna into our homes and hearts with devotion, celebration, and love.

The centerpiece of the recital was the Varnam, Swami Naan Undan Adimai, in Ragam Nattakurinji, composed by Sri Papanasam Sivan. The Varnam tested Sasha’s stamina, emotional depth, technique, and maturity as a solo dancer. Through the sancharis of Kannappa Nayanar and Markandeya, Sasha portrayed unwavering devotion, surrender, courage, and the boundless compassion of Lord Shiva. Guru Preethi’s choreography allowed Sasha to shine both as a technically strong dancer and as an expressive storyteller. The orchestra beautifully complemented the piece, adding depth, rhythm, and emotion to the Varnam experience.

After intermission, Sasha returned with Mahadeva Shiva Shambho in Ragam Revathi, a reverent composition by Tanjavur Shankara Iyer. This piece invoked Lord Shiva as Mahadeva, Shambho, Gangadhara, and Karunakara, the compassionate protector and purifier of those who seek refuge in him. Sasha brought out Shiva’s majesty and spiritual depth with graceful expressions, while also demonstrating command over rhythm through the powerful jathis woven into the composition.

One of the most visually striking items of the evening was Mayil Kavithai in Ragam Rasikapriya, another beautiful composition by Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan. This unique piece, dedicated to the peacock, transformed the stage into nature’s own canvas. Through expressive glances, graceful movement, and rhythmic patterns, Sasha portrayed the peacock’s pride, elegance, playfulness, and vibrant spirit. The use of the mayil iragu, the peacock feather prop, added a memorable visual charm. Mayil Kavithai is a challenging composition because it requires the dancer to embody nature, rhythm, emotion, and character all at once. Kudos to the musicians for complementing her so beautifully, and a special appreciation to the flautist, Sri S. Kumar Babu, whose soulful rendering of Rasikapriya flowed like a gentle breeze, adding a magical charm to the entire presentation.  

The recital concluded with the Brindavani Thillana, composed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, followed by the Mangalam. The Thillana brought a burst of color, rhythm, and joy to the stage. Sasha ended her margam with energy, precision, and radiance, offering the Mangalam as a final gesture of gratitude to the Divine, her Guru, the musicians, her family, and the audience.

The live orchestra played a vital role in elevating the entire Arangetram. Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh led the nattuvangam with precision and grace, guiding every movement and rhythm. Sri Sivaprasad Narayanan Namboodiri’s soulful vocals brought devotion and emotion to each composition. Dr. K. S. Bhavani Shankar’s mridangam provided the rhythmic heartbeat of the performance. Sri Soulapurapu Kumar Babu’s flute added sweetness and depth, while Sri Pranav Swaroop’s violin wove melody and emotion beautifully into every piece.

The evening was also enriched by the presence of Chief Guest Smt. Sujatha Meyyappan, an accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste, educator, and Artistic Director of Kolam Academy of Dance. Special guests Smt. Aparna Balaji and Smt. Smitha Krishnan was also recognized for their contributions to the arts and the community. Their presence was especially meaningful to the family, as Sasha’s brother, Aaryan, learns vocal music from Smt. Aparna Balaji and violin from Smt. Smitha Krishnan.

Behind the scenes, the event reflected tremendous planning, coordination, and care. The elegant decorations by Smt. Anitha Athipathy transformed the venue into a space of beauty and celebration.Smt. Anu Metra’s makeup and styling enhanced Sasha’s stage presence and helped bring each character to life with grace and charm. Kudos to the many volunteers and family members who supported backstage, decor, food, and event logistics helped the afternoon flow smoothly.

At the heart of the evening was Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh’s vision. As a torchbearer of the Vazhuvoor Bani and founder of Sarasa Natya Academy, Guru Preethi brought depth, tradition, and grace into Sasha’s Arangetram. Her choreography reflected careful thought, balancing pure dance, expressive storytelling, devotion, and visual beauty.

As the Master of Ceremonies, I had the privilege of experiencing the Arangetram up close, from the stage transitions to the backstage coordination and many behind-the-scenes moments. It was a beautiful reminder that an Arangetram truly takes a village: a devoted Guru, supportive family, talented musicians, dedicated technicians, volunteers, friends, and community coming together to celebrate one dancer’s milestone.

Congratulations to Sasha Jawahar, her proud family, Guru Smt. Preethi Ramesh, and Sarasa Natya Academy on this beautiful milestone. The evening will be remembered as a graceful and heartfelt celebration of a young dancer ascending the stage with poise, devotion and promise.