Awesome Performance by Shruthivani

It’s a feast to the eyes of art lovers watching Kumari Shruthiveni Velrajan performing Bharathanatyam for almost two hours at Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Born in Chennai, India, Shruthivani moved to the United States with her parents Thrumathi and Thiru Velrajan and sister Sri at the tender of age of one. Shruthi has been learning the ancient Bharathanatyam for the last eleven years., since the age of six. She began her training in the Kalakshetra style of Bharathanatyam under the guidance of Guru Smt. Arathi Srinivas. Shruthi did her first Bharathanatyam performance at the age of 7 with the performance of Pushpanjali. Since then, she has performed for various cultural events in Memphis, Telugu Association of Memphis, Kannada Association, the Indian Association of Memphis, and the ICCT Venkateswara Temple of Memphis. Shruthivani recently graduated from White Station High School and now attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Arangetrum performance was well organized. Smt. Arathi Srinivas assisted with Nattuvangam along with the prerecorded audio music.

Hindu priest Sri Vijaya Kumar performed Nataraja Pooja and Guru Smt. Arathi blessed the bells and handed over to Shruthi. She started the evening performance with Pushpanjali followed by Thisram Alaripu, Jathiswaram, Shabtham, Pada Varnam, Keerthanam-Devi Neeya Thunai, Kavadi Chindu, and Thillana and concluded finally with Mangalam.    

Shruthivani’s performance was amazing and extremely well. She stunned the audience with the precise Angikabhinayam.

Smt. Rekha assisted with Aharyabhinayam. With the beautiful costume and make-up Shruthi shined like a star on the stage. When comes to Satvikabhinayam (Navarasa Abhinayam) Shruthi earned 100%. The lyrics were very clear and Shruthi’s older sister, Sri assisted with intros and narrations.  In addition, Shruthi sang every song while performing. Indirectly this fulfilled the 4^th, Vachikabhinayam.

Shruthivani showed extraordinary skills in various aspects of Indian Classical Dance. She equally talented in Laya (Rhythm) and Lasya (Grace) and the performance was well executed and equally enjoyed.       

Dr. Ramana Vasili

Spiritual Foundation, Inc.

901-387-9646

ramanavvasili@hotmail.com