Shrutilaya School of Dance presents
Saranya Sriram Arangetram
Saturday, 10am IST
October 25, 2025
Seva Sadan,
Malleswaram, Bengaluru
Bharatnatyam Debut Solo Performance
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
We are delighted to invite you to the first solo dance recital
Join us in celebrating this momentous milestone as tradition meets artistry in a divine expression of Bharatnatyam Arangetram of Saranya Sriram
An Arangetram is a significant milestone in the journey of a Bharatnatyam dancer. The word "Arangetram" comes from Tamil, where "Arangam" means stage and "Etram" means climbing. It literally translates to "ascending the stage" for the first time to perform a structured performance (Margam) as a solo dancer. This demonstrates the performer's ability to master movement (nritta), express emotions (nritya), and then beautifully weave these together into a complete narrative (Natya) marking the culmination of years of rigorous training in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatnatyam. This serves to represent dancer's readiness to perform independently as a holistic spiritual journey and cultural celebration through pure devotion to this artform.
Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion to witness the beauty, grace, and spiritual essence of Bharatnatyam. Your presence will make this celebration even more meaningful.
Margam
SRI VIGHNA RAJAM BHAJE
Ragam: Gambheera Nattai
Thalam: Kanda Chapu
Composer: Oottukadu Venkata Subbaiah Iyer
YEN NENJIL PALLI KONDAVAN
Ragam: Mohanam | Thalam: Adi
Composer: Arunachala Kavi
MAATHE MALAYADHWAJA
Ragam: Khamas | Thalam: Adi
Composer: Harikeshanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar
ARDHANAREESWAR
Ragam: Kumudhakriya | Thalam: Roopakam
Composer: Muthuswami Dhikshidhar
EPPADI MANAM THUNINDADHO
Ragam: Huseni | Thalam: Misra Chapu
Composer: Arunachala Kavi
THILLANA
Ragam: Desh | Thalam: Adi
Composer: Shri. Lalgudi G Jayaraman
Acharyas
Smt. Gayatri Sriram
A disciple of Smt. Minal Prabhu and trained in the Kalakshetra bani, her style blends traditional precision with unique thematic depth.
An empaneled artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, she has performed on prestigious stages across India and the world, including Esplanade Singapore, The Wits Theatre (Johannesburg), Korzo Theatre (The Hague), and The Nehru Centre (London). Her acclaimed production Yaygeseni, created with poet-diplomat Shri Pavan Varma, was staged at the India Festival in The Hague.
Smt. Gayatri is the recipient of the Rukmini Devi Arundale Award and the Ananya Puraskar. As founder-director of Shrutilaya School of Dance in Singapore, she continues to mentor students in the Kalakshetra tradition and produce celebrated festivals like Samarpana in Singapore and Ananya Samarpana in Bengaluru, advancing classical arts globally.
Karnataka Kalashree
Smt.Minal Prabhu
A true torchbearer of the illustrious Kalakshetra tradition, Smt. Minal Prabhu began her rigorous training at the age of eight under the legendary Padmashree Kalanidhi Narayanan. Today, she is recognized as one of India’s foremost Bharatanatyam Gurus.
Founder and artistic director of the Mudrika Foundation for Indian Performing Arts in Bengaluru, she is known for nurturing artistes with depth, grace, and precision. Her dynamic choreographies, blending powerful nritta and evocative storytelling, have been showcased internationally.
Deeply committed to dance education, she has taught Aesthetics at the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, conducted classes at the Attakalari Centre, and leads annual workshops for students of Shrutalaya School of Dance, Singapore. She has also produced instructional CDs and DVDs that serve as valuable resources for aspiring dancers.
Distinguished Guests
Smt Revathi Ramachandram
as Chief Guest
Smt. Revathi Ramachandran, a Chennai native, is a distinguished Bharatanatyam exponent with over five decades in the arts. She recently completed a five-and-a-half-year tenure as Director of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Trained from the age of eight by Guru Mangudi Dorairaja Iyer, Revathi carries forward the Melattur tradition of Bharatanatyam and its rare Suddha Nritam. She also trained under Guru Bhagavatulu Sitarama Sharma (Nattuvangam), Smt. Kalpagam Swaminathan (Veena), and Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam (Kuchipudi).
Academically, she holds a Master’s in Economics (University of Madras) and a Master’s in Fine Arts (Sastra University), along with government-certified Diplomas in Bharatanatyam and Veena. She also captained Tamil Nadu at the National Basketball Championships, reflecting her versatility.
Revathi founded Kala Sadhanalaya in 1987, mentoring generations of dancers and creating acclaimed thematic works such as Ambalathil Aadum Jyothi and Jagat Pavani Ganga. She is recognized for her mastery in nritta and the traditional margam.
Her honors include Kalaimamani, Nadana Maamani, Natya Kala Sikhamani, Arsha Kala Bhushanam, and the coveted Spirit of Youth award from The Music Academy (1987). A dedicated practitioner of Yoga and Meditation, she is also a follower of Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
Dr. Sri R.V.Raghavendra
as Guest of Honor
Dr. Raghavendra is not only a distinguished alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, but also a visionary cultural patron who has significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of Indian classical arts. As the founder of the renowned Ananya Cultural Academy, he has tirelessly worked to provide a vibrant platform for classical music and dance, nurturing countless artists and enriching our cultural heritage.
Through his leadership, Ananya has blossomed into a beacon for art lovers, organizing thousands of programs and festivals that celebrate the depth and diversity of our traditions. His dedication extends beyond performances, with initiatives supporting artists’ welfare and archiving invaluable recordings for future generations.
Musical Ensemble
NATTUVANGAM
Karnataka Kalashree Smt. Minal Prabhu,
Smt. Gayatri Sriram
VOCAL
Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Shri. Balasubramanyam Sharma
MRIDANGAM
Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Shri. G. Gurumurthy
VIOLIN
Vidwan Shri. Pradesh Achar
FLUTE
Vidwan Jayaram Kikkeri
PERCUSSION
Shri Prasanna Kumar
Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Shri Balasubramanyam Sharma (VOCAL)
is a much sought-after vocalist for dance performances in India and internationally. He is a renowned soloist and a co-composer of many prices of music specifically tailored to dance. Shri Sharma has won several accolades for his work, including those from Shri. Gurudev Lalitha Kala Academy (Mandya), ICCR (Fiji), Triveni Academy (France), Sampradaya (Canada) and Puney Friends Association (USA), and is a ‘B high’ grade artiste of All India Radio. He is the founder of Nadaroopini - an organisation that conducts annual music festivals to promote the classical arts.
Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Shri. G Gurumurthy (MRIDANGAM)
is a scholar in percussion. A much sought-after accompanist by top vocalists and dancers in India and overseas, he is renowned for his superb skill in various percussion instruments. He has composed music for several dance ballets and margams and has developed specialised techniques for playing the mridangam for dance. He works closely with Mudrika Foundation to create compositions for Bharatanatyam items. He is the recipient of several awards like Aryabhatta, Karnataka Vadhyarathna, Layakala Choodamani, Gokulam Puraskar, Ananya Puraskar, Kala Yogi to name a few.
Vidwan Shri Jayaram Kikkeri (FLUTE)
is a distinguished Carnatic flautist, hailing from a family devoted to teaching and music. He began his training under Vidwan Mani Kant and later refined his artistry under the renowned Mysore flautist Vidwan A.V. Prakash. He has performed extensively across India and abroad, including solo concerts, TV appearances (Udaya, Chandana, Nada Neerajanam–TTD, AIR), and as a team member in the popular ETV show Ede Thumbi Hadidenu hosted by Sri S.P. Balasubramanyam. A B-High grade artist of All India Radio, accompanied eminent Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers. Jayaram has toured across Asia, Europe, the USA, UK, Africa, and Australia.Some of his honors and awards include the Rashtreeya Kalaposhak Sanman (Natyathranga), Sadhana Kalayogi award (Sadhana Sangama Trust, 2020), Lifetime Achievement Award (Geeva Arts Foundation), and was conferred Honorary Citizenship of Louisville, USA by its Mayor for his contribution to music and dance.
Vidwan Shri Pradesh Achar (VIOLIN)
is a renowned Carnatic violinist and vocalist, and has performed in many prominent music festivals across India. He is a prominent soloist and has also accompanied several veteran vocalists like Padmabhushan Dr KJ Yesudas, Dr. Vidyabhushana Aruna Sairam, Malladi brothers, Unnikrishnan, Anooru Ananthakrishna Sharma, RK Padmanabh, etc. He is a “B higxh” grade artiste of All India Radio, and specializes in music directing, teaching and composing classical music, and in accompanying classical dance programs and recordings.
Shri. DV Prasanna Kumar (RHYTHM PADS)
was born with the gift of both profound rhythm and melody. He is known for his exceptional dexterity, a firm grasp of laya, and a deep understanding of music and dance. His multifaceted prowess over a range of percussion instruments, including the rhythm pads, khanjira and ghatam, has enriched his rendering, giving it a distinctive edge. He is the recipient of various awards like the Ananya Puraskar Award and the Ananya Yuva Pratibha Award.
Journey of the Dancer
Saranya Sriram is a working mother and a passionate dancer, under the special guidance and tutelage of Smt. Gayatri Sriram and the blessings of Parama Guru, Karnataka Kalashree Smt. Minal Prabhu. Foremost, Saranya is an avid music and dance enthusiast growing up in Mylapore, the cultural center of Chennai and got chances to attend many years of margazhi season kutcheris in Bharatanatyam and music. During her childhood days, Saranya learnt Veena and has done many kutcheries in Chennai. However, dancing has always been her passion and she pursued this as an onlooker hobbiest for over 2 decades.
Over the last 5 years, during Covid slowdown, Saranya was blessed to join ShruthiLaya School of Dance in Singapore where her young daughter learns Bharatnatyam under Smt Gayatri Sriram as well. She has performed in Singapore temples like the Vadabadirakali Amman, Mariamman Temple and more. As a part of Smt Gayatri Sriram's dance cohort, she has got opportunities to perform in Akhilandeswari Temple in Trichy, International Dance festival Bangalore at Seva Sadan, Chidambaram Natyanjali festival and most recently "Kallang to Kaveri" production marking Singapore's 60th anniversary celebrations.
Saranya lives in Singapore with her husband Madhu and daughter. She has done Masters in Physics and Computer Science at BITS, Pilani and an MBA from University of Chicago Booth. Currently, she is a Principal Product and Asia lead of Azure Cloud database service at Microsoft.
Our Location
Getting There
Flight:
We recommend flying into Bengaluru International Airport
Car:
1-1.5 hrs Drive from Airport
10 mins drive from Hotels and B&Bs
Recommended Hotels and B&Bs:
Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway
Paradise Suites - https://www.airbnb.com/slink/VStsURVi
Deepest Gratitude to
VENUE Mr. Nagaraj and the Management & Staff of Seva Sadan
LIGHTING TBD
COSTUMES TBD
JEWELLERY Sri. Mariappan, VM Temple Jewelers with support of Sandhya Udupa
PHOTO & VIDEOGRAPHY TBD
COMPERE Kumari. Advika Madhusudan
STAGE DESIGN Shri. Ananth Nagaraj
MAKE-UP Shri. Suvin Prasad
Invaluable and unconditional support from: Family, Friends, Shrutilaya & Mudrika families
