Phoenix dancer celebrates her arangetram: 'a journey of devotion, discipline and divine grace'

FOR 21-year-old Nitara Ganasen, from Phoenix, the stage lights of her arangetram, a dancer's debut solo performance in Bharatha Natyam, marked far more than the culmination of years of practice.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

NITARA Ganasen, third from right, at her arangetram at the La Mercy Shree Radha Krishna Temple. With her were, from left: Yugeshnee Ramasamy, Maxine Murugan, Parusha Naidoo, Smt Verushka Pather and Kumreshni Govender. | Supplied

It was in her words: "a momentous and blissful milestone; one that fills me with immense gratitude".

Her arangetram took place at the La Mercy Shree Radha Krishna Temple with 80 people in attendance.

Currently, a third-year BCom law student, Ganasen has spent much of her life balancing academics with her passion for classical Indian dance.

She described her arangetram not as a conclusion, but as a sacred beginning.

"I see it not as an end, but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, devotion and discovery through dance."

The road to her debut was not an easy one. Ganasen explained that the months of preparation required dedication both on and off the dance floor.

"There were so many things to coordinate, from catering to the venue and everything in between. I am beyond grateful to my parents for taking care of these details so beautifully. Their love and support made this day possible, and I feel truly blessed to have them in my life."