Bhargavi Venkataraman
Bhargavi Venkataraman, an engineer by profession began her nrithya journey as a third grader. Bhargavi's dance brings a fresh grace and beauty. She holds her Masters of Fine Arts in Bharatanatyam from SASTRA University, India, and is also a Grade B Doordarshan artist. Maturing into a fine solo performer, Bhargavi has had the opportunity to perform at various prestigious arangams, premier dance festivals and prominent sabhas in India. She was awarded the Best performer of the year 2016 by the Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. Bhargavi was one of the most privileged 1000 dancers to perform on the 1000th year celebration of the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple.
Grace came early to Bhargavi's dance. Even at the age of ten, Bhargavi captivated audiences during stage performances with neat footwork and beauty of abhinaya. Bhargavi strikes fine balances, she melds taut Bharatanatyam stances with a lissome eloquence, transforming herself into various personae into navarasas. Without a cloying overstatement, she connects to her audience with shraddha to the art form.
Today, Bhargavi has equipped herself in most areas of Bharatanatyam, mainly nattuvangum, music and teaching, while her focus is on learning more. Bhargavi is dedicated to her guru Smt. Bhagyashree Satthish and finds inspiration in her. Mentored by her guru, Bhargavi has taught several students in varying ages ranging from 4 to 75. As she continues teaching students with the values passed on by her teacher, she looks forward to moulding budding artists with an amalgamation of traditional and innovative techniques. Bhargavi has been a prompt nattuvanar every Margazhi season apart from the arangetrams and other recitals throughout the year. She has had the privilege to be on the nattuvangam while her guru performed for the season at the Bhavan's Tag auditorium in the year 2017. For Bhargavi, there has always been great emphasis on physical fitness, constant learning and an overall well-being even with her students. Learning and growing has been a constant and the foundation of her journey. She has co-ordinated with her guru in conducting various workshops at the dance institue every year. Focussing on flexibility and body fitness, she trains a lot of students for their dance shows, arangetram, being the major one.
Heartfelt Bhava and energetic Nritta find ample expression in her nrithya. Good rhythmic commmand, great felicity of expression and pleasant stage presence are her forte. With her supple and agile form, filled with youthful energy, Bhargavi makes Bharatanatyam, a pleasure to watch.
Notable Performances
- Participated in the Guinness World Record event for the largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson.
- Performed in the Nitya Akhanda Nrittam as a part of the event for Asia Book of Records.
- Moovarnam - depiction of the significance of the Indian Tricolor at various arangams in Chennai, India.
- Rajarajeshwaram - 1000th year celebration of the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple.
- Performances organized by Natyanjali around Tamilnadu, India (Chindabaram, Thiruvarur, Tanjore, Nagapattinam, Kumbakonam, Thirunallar, Mayuram).
- Indian dance festival organized by India Tourism, Mamallapuram.
- Dance festival organized by Bhilai Tamil Manram
- Major Sabhas including Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Bharat Kalachar, Vipanchee, and several other dance festivals in Chennai, India.
- Performed at the Devasthanams of Tirumala Tirupathi, Chotaanikara Bhagavathi, Trivandrum Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
- Played significant roles for in-house productions of Om Nrithyakshethra (Shiva Shakthi Thandavam, Panchavadivum, Om Namo Narayana, Panchabhoota Sthalam, Vanavil).