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Got an Invite for an Arangetram Ceremony? Read Something About it Before You Go
If you have received an invitation for an Arangetram ceremony and have no clue about what it is all about then read on to understand the custom and its significance. While attending an Arangetram event, you should take a gift for the performer and it should be an appropriate gift. We have also short-listed some gifts that you can consider buying depending upon the budget.
What Is Arangetram?
Arangetram means ‘taking the stage’. Arangetram in any art form is the first public performance by a learner or a student. This ceremony is done once the student has finished learning the fundamentals and the basics of that particular art form and is now ready to perform independently. The teacher or the guru of the student feels confident of his or her student and gives a green signal to conduct an Arangetram. In the public ceremony, the student is made to perform in front of an audience with proper costumes and accompaniments.
What Is the Significance of Arangetram?
An Arangetram is generally done to let the world know that the dancing student has completed her learning and is now a full-fledged dancer. This event is her first stage performance to let the world know about her skills. Her first stage show is like a test for her to get criticism, appreciation or some useful guidance. There are many who do not bring any gift for the dancer except a few words of appreciation but a gift for this ceremony is a sweet gesture. The best gift most people prefer gifting is the idol of Lord Nataraja – the dancing Lord. Lord Nataraja is prayed and worshipped by Bharatnatyam dancers. Some close relatives today, also gift cash to the performer as a way of helping the parents who have spent quite a lot on arranging the ceremony.
The invited guests watch the performance, applaud and encourage the performer and also shower their blessings. As a custom, the guests also bring some gift as a token of appreciation and encouragement. A gift should be suitable for the occasion or for the student. It is better to gift something that resonates with the spirit of the art form. You cannot gift an iPod or an mp3 player as a gift as these do not relate to the ceremony in any way. Close friends and relatives also give gold ornaments to the performer. These gifts should be given after the performance only.
There is another kind of Arangetram gift that is given by the parents of the performer to her gurus as well as to the audience as an invitation. These can be silk sarees to the female gurus or silk dhotis for the male gurus. Parents also gift Arangetram gifts to the accompanying artists. For inviting the guests, the parents of the performer gift gold or silver figurines or lamps. In some elaborate Arangetram ceremonies, the parents have also gifted diamond ornaments to the gurus.
10 Arangetram Gift Recommendations
Below, we have jotted down some 10 appropriate gifts for an Arangetram ceremony. Select anything that fits your budget and choice.
#Idea 1 - Swastiq Diya Gold Antique
This beautiful Swastika Diya featuring an antique look is the perfect gift for Arangetram ceremony. Priced at Rs. 89 only, this one would be suitable for the performer. It is made in metal and features an antique gold finish. Each piece comes packed in a cover and you can repack it in a gift wrapping paper. Diyas holds special significance in Indian customs and traditions. Many dance ceremonies often begin with the lighting of the lamp. This swastika shaped diya can be used for lighting in front of a God idol often kept on the stage.
#Idea 2 - Bharatnatyam Dancer Silhouette Frame
If you are looking for an apt gift for someone inviting you for an Arangetram abroad, then you can buy this pretty Bharat Natyam dancer silhouette from etsy.com. Priced at $5.90 or Rs. 410 this painting will be a good gifting option. Bharatnatyam originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Today, it is one of the most popular dance styles and is practised by male and female dancers across the globe. The print of the dancing woman was done using fade-proof pigment ink. The original drawing features dimensions of 8.5 x 11. It can be enlarged to any size and you can get it framed later. It can be printed on any kind of paper. On ordering this pdf, you get the required size and 1 jpg image of the original artwork scanned.
#Idea 3 - Dancer God Idol
This lovely Lord Nataraja Idol from Divya Mantra would make the perfect gift for an Arangetram function. The Lord of Dance is beautifully carved in metal. It is 4.5 inches in diameter. You can buy this idol at Rs. 1,180 from snapdeal.com. Lord Nataraja is worshipped by all Indian dancers especially the Kathak and Bharatnatyam dancers. Gifting this idol to the performer will be a sign of motivation and encouragement. She can always treasure this statue as it will always remind her of her very first stage performance.
#Idea 4 - Lord Saraswati Idol
This lovely idol of Goddess Saraswati will be the priciest possession of the performer. Goddess Saraswati is known as the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts and science. Gifting this idol to the performer is a way of showering your blessings on the performer and conveying the message that may the Goddess always bestow her knowledge and power on you. This lovely brass idol is sculpted to perfection by master artisans. It is crafted with intricate detailing and dedicated craftsmanship. It weighs a total of 4 kg and features pretty shades of gold, brown and copper. In this idol, she is sitting on a lotus with her ‘veena’ in hand. The idol is priced at Rs. 7,800 and is available at Statue Studio.
#Idea 5 - Book on Bharatanatyam
If you are too confused about giving something suitable, then you can consider gifting this Bharatnatyam Shiksha book in Hindi. It contains all the important information and facts related to Bharatanatyam and will prove to be a valuable asset to someone who is learning the art form. It is priced at Rs. 330 and is available at amazon.in. The book comes in a paperback and has been authored by Dr Puru Dadheech.
#Idea 6 - Lord Ganesha on Marble Chowki
You can never go wrong with a Lord Ganesha idol for someone who is performing at her Arangetram ceremony. This lovely marble idol of Lord Ganesha sitting on a marble chawki looks rich, elegant and very attractive. Priced at Rs. 552 at giveter.com, this idol features Lord Ganesha sitting on golden marble puja chawki. The weight of the idol and the chawki is 0.45 kg. This idol can be placed in the mandir at home or as a showpiece in the house on centre tables or side tables. The marble adds richness to the figurine while the pretty gold detailing makes it look elegant. The idol is further embellished with red and green stones which impart a dressy look to the statue.
#Idea 7 - German Silver Bowl
This German silver bowl priced at Rs. 596 is available at flipkart.com. The elegant silver bowl is crafted from brass material and is microwave and freezer safe. The exquisitely designed German silver bowl comes with a spoon in substantial velvet lining wooden box. The German silver bowl features intricate carving and can be used as a tray or a bowl. It is dishwasher safe too making cleaning very easy. Silver and gold have always been gifted in traditional occasions and Arangetram is one such traditional occasion in India. This silver bowl will make for a perfect gift for the performer
#Idea 8 - Bharatanatyam Ghungroo
These ghunghroos of 60 bells each will be the perfect gift for the performer at an Arangetram ceremony. They will prove to be a gift that the recipient will always cherish and remember for years to come. They are useful too as these high-quality Prisha ghunghroos can be used for Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and many other dance forms. The pair is available for Rs. 390 at flipkart.com.
These exclusive ghunghroos or a musical anklet is made by attaching a number of bells to a string of velvet or cotton pad strap which is then tied on the ankles. The bells are made from brass and have small iron balls inside them which move and create rhythmic sound with every movement of the leg. The bells give a decorative look to the anklets and often these anklets are finished with tassels to enhance their look further. The sounds produced by each ghunghroo differs in pitch depending upon the size of the iron balls and the size of the brass ghunghroos. The musical anklets are available according to the size and age of the dancer and one can buy accordingly. The number of lines of ghunghroos also differs with adults generally preferring 5 to 4 rows while kids starting with 1 or 2 rows of bells.
#Idea 9 - Bharatanatyam Dance Jewellery
Dancers often wear big chunks of ornate jewellery while performing on stage to match with their heavy traditional costumes. This heavy poothali necklace will be the perfect gift for someone about to perform at her Arangetram. It has pretty pearls, red and green stones set with pretty intricate gold detailing. Dancers are always in need of such heavy imitation jewellery and this one is not only very pretty and majestic but also lightweight. It is priced at Rs. 441 and is available at dancejewelryonline.com.
#Idea 10 - Waist Belt
A hip waist belt is also a good option for a gift for an Arangetram function considering the fact that dancers always wear one over their silk costumes to give definition to their dress. Buy this pretty red and green kemp stones hip waist belt. This imitation gold jewellery has pretty red and green kemp stones set in an ornate fashion. It is priced at Rs. 462 and available at vadaamalar.com. Gold ornaments are generally given by friends and close relatives to someone performing at her Arangetram and this one will be an ideal gift.
What Do You Get to Learn from an Arangetram?
An Arangetram ceremony teaches some very useful life lessons to the performer:
- Never Take Your Family for Granted – An Arangetram teaches the performer that family is her biggest support system. Along with her own hard work, it is the commitment of her family that has helped her stick to her goal and complete her training. They have always motivated her to keep going. The proud family has also organized her Arangetram with much pomp and grandeur. They have not only spent a lot of money to make the function a success but also have put in a lot of effort and planning to make it a perfect night for her.
- Keep Going - The performer might have endured years of hardship and rigorous training before reaching her Arangetram. It takes a lot of practice to reach finesse and beauty and not many students who learn traditional dance forms end up with an Arangetram. Only those who work hard and never give up get rewards later.
- Mentor is Compulsory – A mentor is most necessary to succeed in life and no one can pursue with advanced stages of dance forms without a mentor. An Arangetram is the best time to show gratitude to your mentor who has always stood by your side and has always motivated you to learn your dance. It is the mentor who instils a passion for the dance in the performer. Only learning the art technology will not show grace and elegance, these come only when it is done from the heart.
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Don't Forget to Boast the Confidence of Performer.
A dancer needs a lot of things to pamper himself/herself and also to keep motivated. If your friend is recently losing hope in her dancing, just because she failed in many competitions recently, you can motivate her. You can motivate her to believe in herself and her performances that will bring her success in future performances without any doubt.