Ganesha

Lakshmi & Ramanaharan

Cordially invite you and your family to the

BharathanatyamArangetram

of their daughter

Shriya Ramanaharan

Disciple of Guru Smt. Shanthy Rajendran

Saturday, 10 October 2026 5:00 PM Alexander Theatre, Melbourne
RSVP by 11 September The Occasion

The stage awaits…

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The Occasion

An evening of devotion & dance

The arangetram — “ascending the stage” — is a dancer’s debut solo performance: the moment years of discipline, devotion and artistry step into the light. We would be honoured to share Shriya’s moment with you.

The Performance

Saturday, 10 October 2026

5:00 PM — seating from 4:45 PM

The Venue

Alexander Theatre

The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts
48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton VIC 3800

The Reception

Refreshments & Dinner

Light refreshments 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Dinner following the performance

Shriya Ramanaharan seated in Bharathanatyam costume, skirt fanned wide
Shriya RamanaharanThe Dancer

Guru & Disciple

A tradition through the ages

Originating in the temples of South India and shaped over centuries, Bharatanatyam has been carefully preserved through the guru-shishya parampara — the tradition where knowledge is transmitted directly from teacher to student. This continuous lineage has ensured that the art form’s technique, music, storytelling and spiritual depth remain alive for future generations.

Each arangetram represents the continuation of this unbroken lineage, and with the blessings of her guru, Smt. Shanthy Rajendran, Shriya now takes her place within this enduring tradition.

Guru Smt. Shanthy Rajendran
Smt. Shanthy RajendranThe Guru

The Varnam

Sivagamiyin Sabadham

The Varnam is the centrepiece of the Bharatanatyam repertoire, renowned for its length and its seamless blend of expressive storytelling (abhinaya) and intricate rhythmic dance (adavus). It is the most challenging and comprehensive item, showcasing a dancer’s artistry, technique, stamina and emotional depth.

This arangetram’s Varnam is inspired by Sivagamiyin Sabatham — “Sivagami’s Vow” — Kalki Krishnamurthy’s beloved Tamil classic. In the royal city of Kanchipuram, the young dancer Sivagami performs her arangetram before the Pallava court — until war shatters the moment, and her art becomes her defiance, her captivity, and at last, her vow.

Shriya seated facing forward, gold costume
Shriya standing in a dance pose, gold costume
Shriya seated in a dance pose, gold costume

The Ensemble

Music, live on stage

Sri. Ahilan Sivanandan with tambura

Vocal

Sri. Ahilan Sivanandan

One of Australia’s most sought-after Carnatic vocalists, Ahilan hails from a musical family from Jaffna, Sri Lanka — trained first by his mother Smt. Chandramathi Sivanandan, then under Guru L. Thilaganayagam Paul, a disciple of G. N. Balasubramaniam. A Gold Medallist in both Vocal and Mridangam in Sri Lanka’s national competitions, his resonant, expressive voice has won acclaim worldwide.

A composer and seasoned vocalist for Bharathanatyam concerts, he has released numerous devotional and classical albums and holds titles such as Sangeetha Vidwa Sironmani and Gaana Praveena. Ahilan holds a Masters Degree in Carnatic Music and is the founder and director of Geethaanjalie, school of Carnatic Music, in Melbourne.

Sri. Rajhesh Vaidhya performing on the veena

Featured Artist · Veena

Sri. Rajhesh Vaidhya

Rajhesh Vaidhya is a world-renowned veena artiste and composer, famed for his speed, precision and clarity. Born into a lineage of percussion legends, he trained under his father Sri K. M. Vaidyanathan and the legendary veena virtuoso Chitti Babu, and continues under violinist Sri L. Shankar. He is widely credited with introducing amplification and electric strings to the Saraswati Veena.

With more than 50 albums, title tracks for over 75 Tamil television serials and the celebrated #DoYouHaveAMinute series, he has performed in more than 15 countries. His honours include Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peeta Aasthana Vidwan, Tamil Nadu’s Kalaimamani award and a 2023 Asia Book of Records entry for 60 songs in 60 minutes.

Sri. V Suresh Babu playing the violin

Violin

Sri. V Suresh Babu

A talented and eminent violinist, Sri V Suresh Babu hails from the legacy of his grandfather, the legendary violin maestro Sri V Govindaswamy Naicker. He has performed all over the world, both as a soloist and as an accompanist to many leading artists. His expertise earned him the “Best Violinist” award from the Music Academy, Chennai, and — in recognition of 25 years in Carnatic music — the titles Sangeetha Sarathi, Violin Isai Chakaravarthi and Isai Chudaroli, among others.

His many albums — from melodious, calming music to pieces rich in invigorating rhythmic intensity — have captured listeners’ hearts. Exploring the nuances of composing for Bharathanatyam, he has composed music for albums of traditional repertoire, thematic varnams and dance productions.

Sri. Satheepan Elankumaran seated at the mridangam

Mridangam

Sri. Satheepan Elankumaran

A student of Sri Palghat T. R. Rajamani (son of Palghat Mani Iyer), Satheepan completed his Mridangam Arangetram in 2009 under the guidance of Sri Yogaraja Kandasamy, and also trained under the late Sri Palghat S. Suresh. His love of music and dance was first nurtured by his mother, Smt. Meena Elankumaran. His remarkable sense of rhythm, dance and music has made him a favourite among teachers across Melbourne and interstate.

A Bharathanatyam dancer himself — he completed his arangetram alongside his siblings in 2007 — Satheepan continues to grow in Nattuvangam and Konnakol, and today passes the art form on to mridangam students across Melbourne.

Her Journey

Moments before the stage

Shriya, aged five, at her first dance concert, 2013
Shriya on stage at her first year dance concert, 2013
Shriya in pink costume, second year
Shriya in costume with her brother, third year
Shriya performing on stage, fourth year
Shriya dancing at Koneswaram Temple, fourth year
Shriya with her guru Smt. Shanthy Rajendran, fifth year, 2017
Shriya kneeling in a dance pose
Shriya in a temple corridor
Shriya in red and green costume, seventh year, 2019
Shriya dancing outdoors in maroon costume
Shriya with her guru, 2022
Shriya performing on the concert stage, eighth year, 2023
Shriya in a striking pose, foot drawn to her head
Shriya leading an ensemble formation, tenth year
Shriya and ensemble on stage, tenth year
Shriya with her mother
Shriya with her father
Shriya in costume with her brother
Shriya with veena maestro Rajhesh Vaidhya in Chennai
Shriya sharing a moment with a revered elder at a Chennai concert hall
Shriya beneath the banyan tree at Kalakshetra, Chennai
Shriya and her mother in silk saris
Shriya in blue costume with musicians after a performance

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We await your presence

Kindly respond by 11 September 2026

WhatsApp · 0438 080 116 shriya.oct10@gmail.com
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The Venue

Alexander Theatre at Monash

Alexander Theatre — The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts

A landmark of Melbourne’s performing arts since 1967, the beautifully revitalised 561-seat Alexander Theatre sits at the heart of the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Monash University Clayton.

The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts
48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton VIC 3800
4:00 PMRefreshments
4:45 PMSeating opens
5:00 PMPerformance
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