Arangetram is the debut performance of a student of
Bharatanatyam. The word ‘arangetram’, which belongs to Tamil language, is composed of two words; ‘etram’ meaning ‘ascending’ and ‘arangu’ meaning ‘performance stage.’
Arangetram is performed after the completion of the basic training of Bharatanatyam. But, it does not indicate the completion of the training. On the day of the Arangetram, the student offers his/her knowledge of the dance at the feet of the Guru and to
Lord Nataraja (Lord Shiva's dancing form). The core part of this ritual is the display of the dance form by the student in front of a specially invited audience.
Although Arangetram is just the first step for a Bharatanatyam dancer, it requires lots of dedicated training and practice.
Today, the word is used for the debut performance of other art forms.
