Displaying her talent which took her to the semi-finals of the popular television reality show “India’s Got Talent”, Shikha Gusain gave a scintillating solo Bharatanatyam performance recently. For Gusain, disciple of Padma Shri Guru Geeta Chandran, it was her arangetram or maiden solo show.
The dancer started with a pushpanjali in which she paid obeisance to the stage. This was followed by the Alarippu in which she slowly showcased postures of Bharatanatyam much like a lotus opening to the sunlight.
The next presentation was the Jatiswaram in Kanada Raga in which the dancer performed a more advanced enunciation of Bharatanatyam adavus. After this there was a Varnam dedicated to Lord Kartikeya in Purvi Kalyani raga, a Lord Shiva stuti Idadupadam, and “Baso More…”, a composition by Mirabai.
Gusain ended the evening with a Thillana in Brindavani raga.
Visibly excited about her solo performance, Gusain said: “Bharatanatyam is an art, which gives an opportunity to communicate with one’s soul. There is a lot to learn in every pose. I am grateful to my Guru Geeta Chandran, under whose shadow I have reached here. She not only honed my dancing skills but also instilled in me a sense of discipline, dedication and humility.”
Chandran, her guru, commented that it was a pleasure to teach Shikha Bharatanatyam, since she approached the art from the perspective of body preparedness through yoga. “Her first solo performance was full of confidence. As a Guru, I am happy to say a wonderful dancer has arrived to make her mark.”
Mamta Giri, Principal, St. Giri Public School, Sarita Vihar was the chief guest of the function along with Anil Chauhan, Admin and PR Head of News 27 Channel.
(The article was published on Indianarrative.com on October 11, 2023 and has been reproduced here)
