Mandakini Venkatramani, a junior at High School South, is one of the dancers participating in “Artistic Expose of Emotions,” presented by Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance, at Community Middle School on Saturday, June 9, at 5 p.m. The classical Indian dance is focusing on literary works of the Sangam era with simple and enduring themes performed by Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan along with several dancers. The themes relate to Indian customs from 500 B.C. to 300 A.D.##M:[more]##
Bharatanatyame, one of the oldest dance forms known, involves graceful movements, beautiful poses, and complex rhythmic patterns with which the dancer can convey various themes and stories using facial expressions and stylized gestures.
“The unique program has been put together by a highly endowed group of scholars from diverse fields of music, dance, and literature,” says Venkatramani. The verses have been carefully chosen from Sangam literature, which is the only record of the life styles, social customs, and cultural context prevalent in Southern India in the period between 500 BC and 300 AD. The timeless poems can be used in contemporary context to depict war, peace, and love. Since there was no existing music, a dance score was created by Rajakumar Bharathi and choreography by Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan.
Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Mandakini, 17, has lived in Plainsboro since 1993. Her father, Venky Venkatramani, is a software engineer. Her mother, Nandini Venkatramani, is an auditor.
Her sister, Subhashini, 14, is a freshman at South. They have trained together in Bharatnatyam for nine years with Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan, the artistic director of the dance school. They both danced at Mandakini’s debut (arangetram) that took place at Robbinsville High School last year. The program lasted three hours.
“I feel both my sister and I have been given this unique exposure by my parents who have dedicated their time for our growth and learning,” she says. “Not only have they exposed us to this art form but also they found a reputed art institution in the area and enrolled us in it.”
At South she has been involved in the South Asian Awareness Student Association for three years and will be an officer next year. The club presents an annual program featuring the culture of India and other south Asian countries with food, music, dance, and a fashion. She is also on the junior varsity swim team and plays saxophone in the Wind Symphony.
She has volunteered at Medical Center at Princeton’s radiology department for more than a year. She helps organize X-ray films, sends out patient reports, and performs clerical duties.
Getting ready for a dance event takes a couple of hours and Mandakini relies on her mother’s help with hair and make-up. An extensive stage make-up with a foundation two to three layers thick takes a lot of practice. “Make-up is crucial because the emotions of the song are expressed through the eyes and face for the most part,” she says. “With a good makeup, the expressions can be more easily seen and understood by the audience.”
“The hair is braided, further enhanced with a bun, flowers, and jewelry,” she says. The elaborate costume, specially designed for the dance, is usually made of silk, and several pieces of jewelry are worn.
“This art form has taught me many interesting stories, customs, and traditions and I am truly grateful for that,” she says. “I feel privileged to be one of the selected few to participate in this grand dance showcase.”
— Lynn Miller
Artistic Expose of Emotions, Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance, Community Middle School, 55 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, 732-398-9895. www.nrithyanjali.org. Co-sponsored by the Plainsboro Arts Partnership. $5 to $15. Saturday, June 9, 5 p.m.
