Vinitha Subramanian, Director, Natyalaya Austin, TX, and Chandrika Chandran, Director of Natyanjali, Alpharetta, GA that took place on the 25th of July, 2009 at Akins High School Auditorium, Austin, Texas.


Malvika started her Arangetram in a rather novel way, with an invocation in the Vazhuvoor tradition with Thodaya Mangalam and Gnanasabesar Stotram, invoking the blessings of Gnanasabesar the Lord of Vazhuvoor. This set the mood for an auspicious beginning along with the traditional Pushpanjali, seeking the blessings from God, Guru and the audience, in Ragam Gambheera Nattai, a composition of Madurai R. Muralidharan. A 250-year-old piece Dikpalaka Kavuthvam was a unique item praising the guardians of the 4 directions Varuna, Indra, Yama and Kubera, with Brahma in the center. The audience then had an amusing photo collage presentation of Malvika growing up with her family and friends. The jathiswaram in ragam Kapi, composed by Durga Prasad and choreographed by Jayalakshmi Eshwar, was executed with precision and clarity in adavus and jathi patterns. The next piece, Manduka Shabdam in Ragamalika, was followed by the elaborate “Maye Mayan Sodariye” varnam in Thodi, composed by Madurai Krishnan and choreographed by Vinitha Subramanian. Seventeen-year-old Malvika rose to the challenge and proved her mettle as a complete dancer, portraying the nine different emotions as the “Navarasa Nayaki”, showcasing her command over Nritta, Nritya and Abhinaya.

The second half of the Arangetram showcasing "Shambu Natanam" in Saveri ragam, "Aduvum Solluval" in Sourashtram and Mahakavi Bharathi’s "Teeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai", depicting the eternal and playful Krishna, delighted the audience with imaginative choreography. The grand Thillana - "Kaliya Narthanam", of Oothukadu

	With Gurus

 Venkatasuubaier, choreographed by Anusha & Narendra Kumar, depicting Lord Krishna’s fierce fight with the evil serpent Kaliya that terrorized the village folks in the river Yamuna, began with jathis and flowed smoothly through taxing rhythmical sequences. Finally the audience rocked with the brisk and energetic folk piece “Kurathi Attam” in Anandabhairavi that ended with the signature Mangalam of Natyalaya.

In a unique and rare occurance, Malvika was supported by two of her USA gurus, Smt Vinitha Subramanian and Smt Chandrika Chandran on the Nattuvangam, Many were reminded in the audience of the latter's own illustrious guru, Swamimalai K. Rajarathnam Pillai of his finesse in jathi utterances and in wielding the cymbals. Sudev Warrier proved to be the backbone of the orchestra, with his powerful vocal support. With K.S. Sudhaman on the Mridangam, T.S. Krishnamurthy on the violin and Chandan Kumar on the flute, the program was wonderfully put together by the charming Kanaka Sathasivan as the master of ceremony. Shorter intervals and costume-change breaks could have made the event even more precise.

It was an enjoyable delight to watch Malvika Raj demonstrate great talent, with her facial expressions and perfect footwork and nimble limb movements, not to forget the dedication and hard work of her Gurus. Austin Art Lovers congratulate Malvika on this sacred graduation and her long commitment to learning and cherishing the art form, a divine gift to her.