Shivani Patel of Hamilton.
Steinert High School student Shivani Patel made her solo dance debut this summer.
After seven years of training, Patel performed a Bharatanatyam Arangetram. This rite of passage is completed when gurus feel their students are trained and capable. The dance marks the beginning of a dancer’s career independent of her guru.
Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest Indian classical dance forms and is a combination of several styles of movement. The word Arangetram means to ascend onto a stage.
Patel started learning Indian semi classical-folk dance at six years old under the guidance of Guru Shilpa Mehta of the Payal Dancing School. She continued her studies with Indian Classical-Bharatanatyam under Guru Lakshmi Raghavan of the Prerna School of Dance.
Patel has danced in group performances at events including Bensalem Township’s Independence Day Celebration, Gujarat Samaj of Tri State’s Anand Mela, Bhartiya Cultural Center’s Diwalis Celebration in Chalfont, Pa., Yardville School’s Talent Show, Zee Heritage Festival in Edison and New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Asian American Heritage Month Celebration.
Along with dance classes, Patel is currently in her eighth year as a member of the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, White Horse Yardville Service Unit (WHYSU). As a Junior Girl Scout, Patel completed her Bronze Award. Her project was raising awareness about the Hamilton Animal Shelter, which included organizing a collection for the supply donations
Patel is also involved with BAPS Charities, a nonprofit organization. She has participated in annual Walkathons that benefit various causes such as disaster relief, building education funds for children of fallen heroes and the American Cancer Society. Patel donated part of her special event monetary gift to BAPS Charities.
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