You're Invited!
- Date & Time
- July 12, 2026 at 3PM EDT
- Location
-
Jim Rouse Theater
5460 Trumpeter Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
Salangai Arts along with
Harsha and Amul Patel
cordially invite you and your family
to attend the
Bharatanatyam Arangetram
(Solo Indian Classical Dance Debut)
of
Pari Patel
Disciple of
Guru Smt. Akila Subramanyam
Salangai Arts
-
RSVP by Sunday, June 21, 2026
Seating starts at 2:45 PM ⋆ Dinner reception at 6:30 PM ⋆ Indian Attire Preferred
-
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Arangetram
The Arangetram remains one of the most cherished rites of passage in a classical dancer's life. Translated from Tamil as "ascending the stage," this inaugural solo performance marks a transformative milestone in a Bharatanatyam dancer's journey. For a Salangai Arts dancer, it marks the profound moment they step forward to honor their guru, the divine, and the timeless heritage of Bharatanatyam. It is a celebration of perseverance, marking the day a dancer embraces the lifelong responsibility of carrying a rich cultural legacy forward.
Guru
Akila Subramanyam
Guru Smt. Akila Subramanyam hails from Vriddachalam, a town near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. She had her training under Guru Panchavarnam, who is a direct disciple of the Bharatanatyam maestro Guru Balasaraswathy. She started her career in Bharatanatyam as a dancer and has performed on several acclaimed stages in India as well as the US.
Her unique choreography has been well-appreciated by many dance artists. She is one of the highly sought-out gurus for her intense training without changing the purity of the art form. She is currently one of the directors in the IDEA board (Indian Dance Educators Association), a non-profit umbrella organization for Indian classical dancers and teachers.
Over the years she has brought several dance gurus from India to further enhance the knowledge and skills of her students. Akila has passed on her strong and traditional roots in Bharatanatyam to her students, who are trained in various aspects of Bharatanatyam, including abhinaya (expressions), nritta (footwork), thalam (rhythm), and nattuvangam.
Disciple
Pari Patel
Pari Patel, a passionate disciple of Guru Smt. Akila Subramanyam at Salangai Arts, is honored to present her Bharatanatyam Arangetram, celebrating a significant milestone in her dance journey. Beginning her training at the age of 6, Pari has embraced the beauty and rigor of Bharatanatyam through technical precision and expressive storytelling.
Throughout her dance journey, Pari has performed at numerous cultural and community events, including the World Culture Festival and the Bharathiyaar Production, where she shared her love for Indian classical dance with diverse audiences. Beyond performing, Pari has also dedicated her time to mentoring younger students at Salangai Arts, fostering discipline and enthusiasm within the next generation of dancers.
Pari views Bharatanatyam as both an artistic expression and a meaningful way to celebrate culture and tradition. Her Arangetram reflects years of perseverance and stands as a heartfelt tribute to her family and the timeless legacy of Bharatanatyam.
RSVP
We are deeply grateful to Pari’s Guru, Smt. Akila Subramanyam of Salangai Arts, for her guidance, dedication, and encouragement in nurturing Pari’s passion for Bharatanatyam and helping her grow as a dancer.
To our dear friends and family, thank you for your constant love, blessings, and support throughout Pari’s journey. Your encouragement has played an important role in helping her reach this meaningful milestone.
It brings us great joy to celebrate this special occasion with all of you. We look forward to your continued blessings as Pari continues her Bharatanatyam journey.
With gratitude,
Harsha ⋆ Amul ⋆ Shivam ⋆ Pari
We kindly request no boxed gifts.
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