Yet another mind-blowing Rangapravesha that I had the good fortune to witness and be a part of! I am absolutely enthralled and mesmerized by the extraordinary performance of dear Veda Murthy. It was a perfect amalgamation of intricate, energetic Nritta executed with remarkable technical finesse, graceful and confident postures, and exquisite Abhinaya that left the audience spellbound and yearning for more. I am incredibly proud of this amazing young dancer, who has displayed unwavering resilience, perseverance, commitment, and dedication through every challenge life has placed before her.
The selection of items and the structure of the entire Margam were among one of the best I have ever experienced. Guru Vani Ramesh truly outdid herself with a thoughtfully curated repertoire and brilliant choreography, and Veda did complete justice to her Guru's vision, teaching, and artistry.
Every single item was a beautiful celebration of Nritta, Nritya, and Natya, but my personal favorites were the Narasimha Kautvam, where Veda's powerful execution of Raudra Abhinaya gave goosebumps not just to me but to many in the auditorium; the Daru Varna (especially the intricate jathis filled with intense yet impeccably crisp footwork; and the Chamundeshwari Sanchari). and Gummana Kareyadiri, where she effortlessly traversed a wide spectrum of emotions from playful, mischievous expressions to the fierce Raudra in the Kalinga Mardana sequence. The grand culmination of this intense Margam with the soulful , rhythmic Kadana Kutoohala Tillana followed by Dwadasha Stotra and Preenayamo Vasudeva was simply sublime. The thoughtfully chosen Mangalam provided the perfect conclusion to this monumental performance.
Also enjoyed the soulful rendition of Veena from Veda, that portrayed her multitalented artistic ability and skills.
The exceptional orchestral ensemble, led by Vidwan Vignesh Subramanyam elevated the performance with their soulful rendition, impeccable coordination, and musical brilliance. The rendition of all the shlokas and the beautiful collaboration between Vani and Vignesh in the Narasimha Kautvam added a truly special dimension to the evening.
Heartiest congratulations to the star performer, Veda, to her esteemed Guru, Vani Ramesh, for fourteen years of dedicated training and for nurturing such an exceptional artiste; to her parents, Sharmila Murthy and Rama Murthy for their unwavering support, countless sacrifices, and steadfast encouragement; and to her beloved angel brother Vishnu who continues to inspire and bless her every step of the way.
A special mention to the wonderful emcee of the evening, my very own Samhita Vinay who won many hearts with her impeccable pronunciation of multi language words, graceful stage presence, flawless diction, skillful intonation, and confident delivery. My heartfelt gratitude to Vani for the faith she placed in Samhita, and to Sharmila, Ramu, and Veda for this wonderful opportunity.
The entire event was beautifully planned and flawlessly executed by Veda's family, near and dear relatives, friends, and the dedicated SSD volunteers. It was truly a privilege to be a part of this memorable celebration of art, devotion, discipline, and excellence. This is an evening I will cherish for a very long time.
There are performances, and then there are moments when art stops being performance and becomes prayer. Veda Murthy’s Rangapravesha on July 11th, 2026 was unmistakably the latter — an evening where a young dancer didn’t just execute an art form, she surrendered to it, and in doing so, made everyone in that room feel like they were witnessing something sacred. For our family, this evening carried an extra layer of meaning — Veda is our second cousin, and her guru, Smt. Vani Ramesh , is also my second cousin. Watching two people so close to our own family come together like this, one shaping the art and the other embodying it, made the evening feel that much more personal, that much more ours. And getting to be part of organizing this Rangapravesha ourselves — the planning, the small details, the anticipation building up to the night — made it an experience we’ll treasure for a long time. What fun we had putting it all together.
From the moment Veda entered with the Pushpanjali, offering flowers to Lord Nataraja, there was a stillness in the air — the kind that settles over a room when everyone senses they’re about to see something rare. Her Jathiswara was crisp and confident, and when she took on the Narasimha Kautuvam, something remarkable happened — this same gentle young girl transformed, eyes blazing, hands sharp and commanding, embodying the fierce avatar with an intensity that startled the room into silence. Moments later, in the Devaranaama, she became Krishna the mischievous child pleading with Yashoda — and just like that, the fierceness melted into pure, disarming innocence. To watch her move between these two extremes, ferocity and childlike wonder, within the same evening, was to understand what true abhinaya is: not acting, but becoming.
By the time she reached the Dharu Varna — that towering, unforgiving centerpiece of the Bharatanatyam repertoire — it was clear this was no ordinary debut. The technical rigor of the varna, dedicated so tenderly to her brother Vishnu, carried a weight of devotion that went beyond footwork and abhinaya. You could see years of discipline distilled into single moments of expression.
And the audience felt it too. People clapped along and swayed with her during the Thillana, unable to stay still as the rhythms picked up. During the more devotional pieces, you could see hands fold instinctively, unconsciously — as if people weren’t watching a dancer anymore but standing before the deity itself. There were tears in more than a few eyes, not out of sadness but out of bhakti — that particular, overwhelming emotion that rises when devotion is made visible right in front of you. It’s rare for a room full of people to be moved to tears by a young dancer’s debut, but that is exactly what happened.
None of this happens in isolation, and it would be a disservice not to speak of the guiding hand behind it all — Smt. Vani Ramesh. Her decades of training, her Gold Medal-winning scholarship, her lineage running through Pandanallur greats — all of it was visible not as ornamentation but as foundation. A guru’s real gift isn’t just choreography; it’s the invisible architecture that lets a student’s own spirit come through freely on stage. Watching Veda dance, you could feel Vani ma’am’s three decades at the Srishti School of Dance — her patience, her exacting eye, her belief that this art form deserves to be preserved with total integrity — living inside every phrase. And knowing her as family made it impossible not to feel a swell of pride watching her students carry her legacy forward so beautifully.
And then there was the orchestra — the beating heart beneath the visible art. Vignesh Subramaniam’s vocals carried that rare bhava-laden quality that turns a raga from mere melody into something that aches and soars. Madhava Paliyam’s mridangam gave the evening its pulse, precise and alive, while Swaminathan Natarajan’s violin wove through every piece like silk thread through gold brocade. Bharathwaj Gopalakrishnan’s flute, especially in the Thillana, felt like Krishna himself had wandered into the hall — playful, melodic, impossible to resist. Together, this orchestra didn’t accompany the dance; they breathed with it, anticipated it, held it aloft.
By the time the Mangalam arrived — those ancient slokas honoring the ten incarnations of Vishnu — something had shifted in the room completely. It felt less like an audience watching a performance and more like a congregation witnessing an offering. It genuinely felt as though the gods themselves — Nataraja, Devi, Krishna, Narasimha, Vishnu — were seated among us, watching this young dancer complete her rite of passage into the art.
But beyond the artistry, beyond the ragas and the talas, what stayed with us most was pride — pure, overflowing pride in Veda. To watch a young girl carry centuries of tradition on her shoulders with such grace, ferocity, and joy is to witness something truly special. And that pride extends fully to her parents, whose quiet sacrifices, early mornings, endless drives to practice, and unwavering faith in her journey made this moment possible. Every mudra Veda held on that stage was also a reflection of the home that raised her to dream this big and work this hard. Today wasn’t just Veda’s milestone — it was her family’s, and being family ourselves, we couldn’t be prouder to have witnessed it, or happier to have helped bring it to life.
Bharatanatyam at its best is not entertainment — it is devotion made visible, discipline transmuted into grace, centuries of tradition carried forward on the shoulders of one dancer and the community that shapes her. Veda Murthy’s Rangapravesha was exactly that: a night where art, faith, family, and lineage converged, tears mixed with applause, and everyone left the hall a little more moved — and prouder — than when they walked in
I enjoyed sunday morning watching the arangetram of Veda.
Beginning with pushpanjali followed by in Vasantha was superb.
About different types of lord Narasimha in ragamalika was very unique. Usually we see dance about shiva. Her bhava, expression was awesome. " Mathe" in Khamach was full of bhava and crisp movements.
Very surprised to see her Veena recital also. She is really a " ಶಾರದೆ ತುಣುಕು".
The way she showed animals for saptha swara for "Sharade" in kalyani was creative.
Music for " kalinga narthana" in ಗುಮ್ಮನ ಕರೆಯದಿರೆ was apt.
Thillana in Kadanakuthoohala was crisp and rhythmic.
It was a great grand success of arangetram.
I must congratulate you for all the hard work, dedication and love towards students. So proud of you in training and enriching the culture in the society. Such a noble job you are doing.
Your nattuvangam, choreography were beyond words.
Once again my hearty congratulations to you.
Please convey my appreciation and congratulations to Veda too. May she get more opportunities in future to showcase her talents.
Heartiest congratulations on an astounding dance performance. Your talent, poise, hardwork and expressive artistry made it truly unforgettable. Wishing you many more successes! You made not only your family proud but all of you. God bless you and may all your wishes come true!
Lots of blessings and best wishes. Jayamna Ajji, Ravi Aunty and Anu Aunty.
Veda did an amazing job through out all the dances, narasimha one and the gumma were my favorites- she absolutely honed in the Abhinaya very well!
So proud of her of both cultural (dance and Veena) and educational achievements. Good luck to her in all her future endeavors!
Best wishes to you and Ramu!
The decorations were outstanding!
Veda’s expertise in the classical art of Bharatanatyam
Yes like you have expressed she didn’t leave any pages unturned and some of the pieces brought goosebumps!! Mate Malayadwaja was outstanding as if we were watching Mahishasura’s vadhe happening liveI was literally overwhelmedVani known to bring out the best in her students out did herselfMusic was awesome, MC was awesomecostumes over the moon and the humble thank you to everybody by Ramu and Sharmila moved the audience
Sorry Sowmya , I am not writing a review to your writing, we are all so much enthralled , couldn’t resist expressing my own thoughts and feelings
Beautiful performance by Veda!
Wow—what an unforgettable evening! Where do I even begin? With Guru Vanis exceptional choreography for the margam, or Veda's absolutely mesmerizing performance? Together, they created pure magic on stage.
It is impossible to choose a favorite item from the entire margam because every single piece was presented so beautifully. Each performance was a delight, leaving us eagerly waiting for what came next.
Just when we thought Narasimha Kautuvam had become our favorite, Mathe followed. As an all-time favorite kriti in our household, it was a special treat to watch. The choreography was exquisite, and Veda's energy, grace, and command throughout the Varnam were simply breathtaking.
When Veda portrayed Goddess Saraswathi playing the veena, it truly felt as though Saraswathi Devi herself had come alive on stage. That was followed by Shrungapuradhishwari, another stunning presentation. My favorite segment was the Saptaswara, where each musical note was beautifully depicted through the animals traditionally associated with Saraswathi—such a creative and captivating interpretation.
Gummana Kareyadire was another precious gem in the margam that elevated the experience even further. From the graceful portrayal of Yashoda and the adorable little Krishna to the magnificent Kalinga Narthana, every moment was filled with expression, charm, and brilliance.
The Kadanakuthuhala Tillana was vibrant, energetic. We couldn't help but smile and enjoy every moment of the performance. The concluding Mangalam with Dwadasha Stotra and Preenayamo was the perfect finale to an extraordinary evening.
Congratulations to Veda on a truly splendid performance, and heartfelt compliments to Guru Vani for envisioning and choreographing such a beautiful margam. We came home with our hearts full, already wishing for more!
She absolutely looked like a goddess holding the Veena and playing it so beautifully!Totally loved it!
Enjoyed each and every item, music, Choreography and Veda's execution! She was brilliant in the entire Margam, "Gummana kareyadire" was my favorite!
Congratulations to Veda, Vani, and the supportive proud parents! Its a huge accomplishment!
Best wishes!
Veda You truly are a star
every item was a masterpiece you did complete justice my favorite was Gummana kariyadire , loved it ..
once again congratulations to veda , Vani Ramesh and to proud parents
Congratulations to Veda, Guru Vani and proud parents for accomplishing this huge milestone! I was really impressed with dear Veda's abhinaya and flawless execution of Guru Vani's vision and choreography throughout the entire margam. She owned the stage with her confidence and dazzling smile! It was a perfect evening thanks to Sharmila's meticulous planning and organization!
What an amazing and electrifying performance by dearest Veda yesterday as she did her Ragapravesha (Arangetram). Flawless and effortless performance indeed. Veda, putta, you made us all very proud. Congratulations and all the very best to you for a beautiful and successful future in dance and academics. May God bless you with all that you aspire and more.
My personal favorites yesterday were Narasimha Kautuvam and Gummana Kareyadire. Gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes multiple times. God bless you my dear
Vani Ramesh your years of training and dedication has paid off and handsomely. Congratulations and the very best to you.
Orchestra ensemble from our own DMV area was truly one of the best. Vignesh Nurani Subramanian on the vocals was brilliant. Madhava on the Mridangam, Swaminathan on the violin and Bharathwaj Gopalakrishnan on the flute equally matched up. Soooo proud of our DMV STARS.
Decorations, food and the company was super awesome as well and totally had an amazing time
Veda did an incredible job with zero mistakes but most of all she impacted the audience like I have never seen before in my life!!! That’s the marker of a true artist ♥️♥️
That was so AWESOME !!!! ♥️
Veda is sooo sweet and talented 🥰🥰
Ramu, We are very happy that we could help out.. We definitely enjoyed the whole process and loved the dance by Veda.. She did amazing 👏
Best wishes to her.. 🙏
It was a brilliant performance that displayed artistry, grace, stamina, and outstanding abhinaya. Veda, you brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. It was absolutely beautiful. May you always be blessed.❤️
For anyone who did not get a chance to watch this - please watch it https://www.youtube.com/live/1O9aoBvpAKI?is=zNEAWys33y-NOjHL
Veda converted the auditorium to a temple. You could feel the gods witnessing this dance.
Yes Vedas arangetram was excellent. It was clear how much hard work was put into the performance, and many pieces made the audience cry, including myself! Absolutely stunning 🤩
Just AWESOME!!! ♥️🥰🥰♥️
Amazing performance!!
Wishing my sweet Veda all the best and lots of love ♥️
Veda was so confident and loved the crisp nritta in all the items. I still cannot decide if the Narasimha or Krishna item is my favorite. Her expressions and dancing and versatile choreography by Vani was amazing! She made it seem easy but we all know the time, dedication and efforts needed to do this. Great job!!
Totally agree Veda Murthy did a wonderful job with her performance. We enjoyed every bit of it. Her Veena playing was a soulful experience. Live orchestra was a bless. Overall, it was a beautiful celebration and experience.
Congratulations to Veda, Guru Vani and proud parents for accomplishing this huge milestone! I was really impressed with dear Veda's abhinaya and flawless execution of Guru Vani's vision and choreography throughout the entire margam. She owned the stage with her confidence and dazzling smile! It was a perfect evening thanks to Sharmila's meticulous planning and organization!
Mari, I cannot begin to say how well you showcased your art form. The pure dedication, commitment, joy and passion flowed through you. Please continue dancing. You brought so much joy and happiness to all of us raja. Wishing you the very best at GW and beyond. 💕💕🤗🤗
Hearty congratulations to you and rama Murthy and Veda ! What a talent ! Loved every performance but my favorite was gummana kareyadire , thillana and mangalam. She was simply outstanding with her expressions. She actually immersed herself and was enjoying. In addition veena performance was icing on the cake .
Overall a bundle of talent !
Thank you for making us part of this event . It was planned so well and executed.
Please accept this small gift from us ! Thank you and get rest you all !