Dance Tantra

08/21/2026

As I complete the 2026 Arangetram season with Ahilya, I also celebrate the 10th Arangetram of Dance Ta**ra Academy.

Reaching #10 after a decade comes with a lot of reflection—and a lot of growth, not just as a teacher, but also as a mom.

Ahilya has traveled a beautiful eight-year Bharatanatyam journey with me. She joined a little later in elementary school and never once questioned why she had to start with the tiniest beginners. Instead, she embraced those little “dance munchkins” and turned them into her dance sisters. Those same little sisters—now fabulous dancers themselves—stood beside her through thick and thin, including on her Arangetram day.

That is the kind of journey I treasure.

Ahilya has always been an Abhinaya person. Her stamina, her curiosity, and her love for classical arts are something else. And that beautiful, expressive smile—combined with the many shades she brings into her Abhinaya—makes her stand out whenever she is on stage.

A packed house and the appreciation that continues to come in after her Arangetram tell me that her storytelling connected.

And I want to say something openly to the Bharatanatyam community, especially teachers working with Arangetrams.

I see two extremes.

One is where teachers become too casual about quality, present anything on stage, and then place the responsibility entirely on the student. That isn’t fair to the child—especially when an Arangetram is a significant emotional and financial investment for a family. Parents, please be thoughtful about who you choose as your child’s teacher.

The other extreme is equally concerning: creating unnecessarily complicated “experiments” with high-school students simply to set a higher artistic bar. A 45-minute Varnam or excessively stretched Padam may showcase a teacher’s experimentation, but if the audience starts feeling like they are attending a test of endurance rather than witnessing a young dancer’s artistic milestone, we have to ask ourselves—who is this really serving?

There is a place for experimentation. Do it with professional dancers. Create productions. Push boundaries on your own stage. But don’t make a high-schooler’s Arangetram the laboratory.

07/17/2026

Dear Poorvika,

Our eight-year journey together has been incredibly special, and watching you grow has been a rewarding experience for me as a teacher.

Even as a little girl, your araimandi was remarkably deep—it was always a joy to watch you dance. In your Arangetram, that same unwavering araimandi remained flawless for over three hours, complemented by beautiful abhinaya and expressive facial expressions that captivated everyone.

Your honesty, humility, and dedication truly set you apart. Your ability to memorize complex pieces and make them completely your own is a rare gift.

Perhaps the biggest lesson from your Arangetram—one that every student should learn—is how you took complete ownership of your practice. No amount of talent can replace the countless hours of sincere effort you invested. That dedication was evident in every moment of your performance, and the outstanding result spoke for itself.

Your Arangetram was not just a milestone; it was an inspiration. I know the audience is eager to see you perform on many more stages across our community.

Keep dancing, keep inspiring, and always remain the humble artist you are. I couldn't be prouder of you.

Love,

Piyali aunty

Photo Foto Factory

07/03/2026

Dear Charvi,

Sanskriti, lovingly known as Charvi—many didn't even know her formal name until the invitation was released.

The word that defines her journey is transformation. She transformed herself for this Arangetram, and that commitment positively influenced not only her dance but also her discipline in academics and everyday life.

Her greatest strength is her willingness to accept feedback—whether gentle or tough. She listens, reflects, and works tirelessly until she improves. Dedication is deeply ingrained in her personality. She relentlessly strives for perfection, refining every piece until it shines.

A naturally expressive dancer, she delivered breathtaking performances in Ravana Tandava and Kalinga Nartana Tillana, leaving the audience with goosebumps through her powerful abhinaya and stage presence. Equally beautiful is her kind heart. Her positivity radiates effortlessly, creating a genuine connection with everyone watching.

Grounded, humble, and immensely hardworking, Charvi has a bright future ahead of her. Keep shining and keep inspiring.

With lots of love and blessings.
Piyali Aunty

06/12/2026

Congratulations to Arya Pratap (Thursday 6–7 PM batch) on earning national recognition in the Presidential AI Challenge for her AI project, SkillUp.

A remarkable achievement and a well-deserved $10,000 award. So proud of you, Arya. Keep shining!

Three Northstar Middle School students who were selected as regional winners for their project “SkillUp” have now achieved national recognition at the Presidential AI Challenge. Viha Iyer, Shrimayi Shetty, and Arya Pratap earned first place in the Middle School Track for their project, an AI-powered tool designed to support craftsmanship, handiwork and hands-on creation.

https://www.lwsd.org/services/communications/news-and-stories/news-details/~board/middle-schools/post/northstar-middle-school-students-take-home-first-place-nationally-in-presidential-ai-challenge-finals

06/11/2026

Dear Vedika,
My dear dance child, you and I have always shared something far beyond the usual teacher-student bond. In many ways, we are more like companions on a beautiful journey of Bharatanatyam — bound together by love for the art, by trust, and by countless cherished memories.
You love Bharatanatyam from the very depth of your soul, and that love shines through every movement, every expression, every moment you grace the stage. There is no place for shortcuts in your world. For your arangetram, you chose the most demanding pieces, and with patience, devotion, and endless hours of hard work, you transformed them into something unforgettable — not just for yourself, but for everyone who witnessed it, including me.
Your smile is infectious, your expressions are full of life, and your artistry has the power to hold an audience in awe for hours together. For all four hours, people sat spellbound, carried away by the beauty and sincerity you brought to the stage.
And then, there is your playful side — the little spark that makes you so special. I will never forget your dinosaur dress on a Zoom call, followed by a serious dance with perfect expressions, all just to distract me during nattuvangam! That joy, that mischief, that innocence — it is part of your charm and part of your light.
At just 14, you already show a depth and potential that promise a long and glorious journey as a dancer. But beyond talent, what makes you truly rare is your humility, your openness, and your willingness to receive feedback with grace. You listen, you absorb, you refine — always searching for the nuance that can turn a performance into a masterpiece. Many young dancers struggle with corrections, but with you, there was never even a single moment of resistance in this journey.
You have not only raised the bar for arangetram, but you have also inspired others — young dancers who will look to your performance and dream of creating something equally meaningful and beautiful. You have left behind more than a memory; you have left behind inspiration.
Keep dancing, my dear Vedika. May your journey be filled with grace, brilliance, joy, and countless stages that await your light.
With love and pride,
Piyali Aunty

05/29/2026

An experiment with Chaturasra Eka Taalam — a Tisra Gati Alarippu blended with Rabindrasangeet "dui hater kaler mandira" and manjira props, became a big hit with our academy’s recent post-Arangetram dancers, Ishrita and Nandika, at Rabindra Utsab 2026, organized Sadhana.

Heartfelt thanks to Utsa Ghosh Kundu, da, and Sinha Roy for creating such a beautiful Mandira Alarippu for us.

We are now working on a music video production with a couple of more post-Arangetram students joining this creative journey soon. Stay tuned.

Photos Snaps by Shelley

05/24/2026

Saveri Jwatiswaram by Dance Ta**ra students at Nritya lab Nadam lab 3.0

04/30/2026

At Dance Ta**ra Academy, we live, breathe, and embody dance as a sacred rhythm—Happy International Dance Day.