Abu Dhabi: Mangalorean Star Clarissa Fernandis shines at Debut Performance of Bharatanatyam

By Ronald DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 01 Feb 2014: Aglorious one-time event in one’s life is always joyful andmemorable, that too in a tender age. On Friday 31st January, 2014 the art-loving audience at IndiaSocial and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., had a privilege to witness the success ofone-time event of Clarissa Fernandis, her debut performance of Bharatanatyam at the young age of 13.

 

The Bharatanatyam Arangetram was performed on the grand main stage of the India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi one of state of art building and a premier organization, which began about 6:00pm on Friday amidst guests from Indian Embassy and members of ISC, All the guests and committee members of ISC namely Thomas John (Hon. President), P. Sathyababu (Hon. Gen. Secretary) and Mr. Mohammed Khaliq Second Secretary (culture), Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, UAE., were invited on the dais and felicitated with floral bouquets. The event was attended by a large number of art lovers, parents and well wishers of Clarissa and other performers.  Prominent personalities such as Mr. Sarvotham Shetty (President, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha) attended the program.

 

Kumari Clarissa daughter of Mr. Dinesh and Mrs. Cynthia Fernandis performed her a three hour Bharatanatyam Arangetram along with6 other young artists: Naima Nazar, Riya Roopeh, GayathriSoundarajan, PreethiJayakumar, SrinidhiJayakumar, and Madhav Menon. The budding classical dancer in their maiden performance stunned all and received applause from the audience who themselves were  artists,friends  well wishers and critics. Total silence reigned in the auditorium asshe with other artists broughtout the beauty, grandeur and profundity of classical dance based onthe theme ‘Shiva’ (Nataraja: Cosmic Dancer) with grace, energy and perfectsynchronization of Bhava, Raga and Tala. The expressive eyes of young artist and her agile movements on the stage also invited loud cheers fromthe discerning audience.

 

 

The melodious music accompaniment for the Arengetram was enriched by the traditional and professional live orchestra consisted of vocals, Mrudangam, violin and Flute. All were full of praise for Smt. AshaNair’s intricate and exquisite choreography and how the young artist has imbibed the nuances of Bharatanatyam from her. Theprogram had indeed had resemblance of a performance by a professionalartist rather than that of a debut performance. Mr. Mohammed Khaliq Second Secretary (culture), Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, UAE., graced the event as the Chief guest. No doubt, a lot ofpassion and hard work by the  student, timely supported by parents made an Arengetrama very special on Friday  evening, amidst one’s busy life in Abu Dhabi.

 

TheKonkani speaking Catholic Christian community is proud of Clarissa’senthralling performance. She has been pursuing the revered form ofBharatanatyam for the past eight years. For her Arangetram is a momentous rite of passage and thefirst milestone in her journey into the ocean of Bharatanatyam. No doubt the images of her graceful debutperformance will remain ingrained in the consciousness of theaudience for a long time especially her captivating sculpture-likeposes. Kudosto you Clarissa and it is our wish that youexcel in this art and become accomplished dancer and performer.

 

The wonderful and colourful event was ably conducted by two emcees Pooja Nair and Neha Rao.