– FLUSHING, N.Y.
Students of Nrityanjali entertained a packed-to-capacity audience at the Saraswati Hall of the Hindu Temple here Dec. 15 to celebrate the dance school’s 10th anniversary of the school. Audience members, primarily family and friends of the students, applauded each performance; several scrambled to the front to take pictures or record the show.
Under the guidance of artistic director Chandra Banerjee, the students, in different stages of their Bharata Natyam training, performed traditional and contemporary items.
Dressed in traditional Bharata Natyam outfits, more than 100 dancers performed pieces including alarippu, kautuvam, Ganapati vandana, jatiswaram, shabdam, padam, Shiva stuti, thillana and a presentation on the use of mudras, or hand gestures.
In “Tribute to the Leaders,” students recognized sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar who died in La Jolla, Calif., on Dec. 11. Also remembered were those killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14.
Chief guests Peter Koo, New York City councilman, and Lal Motwani, president of the National Federation of Indian American Associations, presented certificates of accomplishments to all the students.
Antara Majumdar, a third-year student, received the award for Excellence in Dance. Koo and Motwani also recognized alumni who performed at the 10th anniversary celebrations.
