Surat-based ‘Utkarsh Dance Academy LLP’ has been teaching the Indian classical dance form – Bharatnatyam for the last 26 years (since 1994), under the professional tutelage of its Art Director, Behnaz S Todiwala. On 31st January, 2021, under Behnaz Todiwala’s tutelage, Utkarsh presented its first ‘Mother and Daughter Dikshant Samaroh’ or ‘Arangetram’ starring Bhumika (mother) and Vidhi (daughter) Choksi in Bharatnatyam. (Arangetram is the debut on-stage performance of a former student of Indian classical dance and music, on the completion of one’s formal training.)

In the following week, Utkarsh will present three more such ‘Arangetram’, performed by twenty students aged between 13 to 15 years – at the Performing Art Centre (6^th February) and the Sanjeevkumar Auditorium (7^th and 14^th February). Keeping alive their passion for art and culture during the challenging times of the pandemic, the students have worked hard and will represent Indian culture through dance, based on mythological events of Mahabharat, Lord Shiva and different incarnations of Lord Krishna. All performances convey a social message which will be easy to comprehend.

Last year in February, twenty students had also performed Arangetram at the famous Guruvayoor Temple followed by a Special Bharatnatyam Workshop at Kerala Kalamandalam. With this Dikshant Samaroh, Utkarsh completes the Arangetram of over 265 students. All necessary COVID regulations have been and will be strictly followed through the various events.