Reliving an Fantastic 2016
We achieved more than what we had planned for 2016!! Keep it up everyone!
(A) First parents-teacher meet session on 2 Jan 2016
We commenced 2016 with our very first parents-teacher meet session on 2 Jan 2016. Plans and objectives for 2016 were discussed and agreed upon. Thereafter, 7 students were rewarded for doing well in areas such as theory, practical, stage performances. We even had 2 students obtaining awards for most consistent throughout the year and most helpful students. Details of this session can be found @ Exciting 2015
(B) Performances
i) Vasantha Utsavam on 24 May 2016
Naatyaanjali’s first performance in Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.
Lord Perumal blessed Naatyaanjali with an opportunity to perform in the annual Vasantha Utsavam at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on 24 May 2016. This was Naatyaanjali’s first performance in Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.
We commenced our performance by paying respects to Lord Ganesha and then proceeded onto various items on HIM as well as HIS Consort Mahalakshmi. We even had two little Krishnas perform with their Gopikas. We ended our performance with a mangalam on HIS ten avathaarams (dasavathaarams).

Krishna with His Gopikas

Posing as Ganesha

Patiently awaiting their turn to perform

The stage at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Ganesha pose in Jaya Jaya Sura

Thubikkaiyaanae beautifully depicted in Jaya Jaya Sura

Oh Ganesha in Ganesha Kautuvam

Oh Krishna in Alaipayuthey

Perumal's Consort Mahalakshmi

Supportive audience awaiting the next item

Oh Lord Shiva, the fiery One

Awaiting the start of Pushpanjali

Oh Ganapathayae, the One with elephant ears

We surrender to You!

Only You can lead me...

Shangu Chakranae, Lord Perumal

Oh handsome Lord Perumal

I can't describe Your beauty, Oh Lord

Is that You oh Krishna..

I meditate upon You

Krishna with His flute

Devotee searching for HIM

Cute little Krishnas

Gopikas getting ready with kolatam

Half-way through kolatam

Oh what disgusting behaviour in Nenjil Uramumindri

Stop talking and learn to listen

In search of The One

Silence and search within

Be silent

Dasaavathaarams finale

Closure of performance

Naatyaanjali's Principal receiving a token of appreciation

Receiving blessings at the sanctum
(ii) Navarathiri
Nava means nine and rathiri means nights. Navarathiri is the period when the nine forms of Devi are worshipped.
Naatyaanjali performed on 8 and 9 Nov 2016 in Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple and Sri Muneeswaran Temple respectively for Navarathiri. Students gathered as early as 6pm and by 7pm they were raring to go. We performed for an hour each on both days.
Students have been performing annually for Navarathiri. It was heartwarming to watch them grow over the years as they come out of their comfort zone and push themselves to learn and perform new challenging items. Students from the 9am class performed 3 items. That’s a significant improvement, from 1 item in the past years to 3 items now. The very young ones from the 10am class went on stage for the first time and performed a pushpanjali. From always performing in a group, students from 11am class did a solo performance for 4 items.
@ Sri Muneeswaran Temple

Preparations before the show

Perfecting the eye makeup

Students queuing for their turn

Senior student helping others

Sri Muneeswaran Temple Stage

Parents adorning dance accessories

Final checks on costume and accessories

Briefing before the show

Waiting patiently for commencement of show

Final minute photo-taking by excited mothers

Students' offering via Pushpanjali

Adorning the anklets during Ganesha Kautuvam

Thrisoolam depicted during Ganesha Kautuvam

Lord Nataraja pose in Natesha Kautuvam

Getting ready with Pushpanjali by the junior Naatyaanjalis

Ending in a lotus formation in Pushpanjali

Shivalingam depicted in Aangkikam Bhuvanam

Posing during Pushpanjali

Ending theermaanam during Pushpanjali

Oh Krishna in Geethaupadesham

Krishna - the One who adorns the feather

Krishna and HIS Consort in Alaipayuthey

Searching for Krishna

Krishna pose in Alaipayuthey

Why Krishna? Why are YOU indifferent?

Blessings from Mahalakshmi

Gathering at the end of the performance

Teacher distributing goodies after a good show! Well done Children...
@ Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple

De-brief before the performance

Dancer eagerly awaiting her turn

Ganesha's trunk depicted in Ganesha Kautuvam

Offering the flowers in Pushpanjali

I have seen HIM oh Krishna!

Paying obeisance via Pushpanjali

Oh Baby Krishna in Geethaupadesham

You are Always there for us, oh Mahalakshmi

Working as a team in Pushpanjali

Always be with me Oh Shiva

Ending with Anjali (Naatyaanjali's symbol)

Beautiful Kolu in Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple

Teacher receiving blessings on behalf of Naatyaanjali
(iii) Vijayadasami
Vijayadasami is the day when the victory of the good over the evil after nine days of worship is cherished.
Vijayadasami was on 11 Oct 2016. As it was a weekday, Naatyaanjali celebrated Vijayasadami on 15 Oct 2016. We held a small prayer for Lord Nataraja followed by respects extended to the Teacher Jeyanthi Arumuganathan by the students.

Naatyaanjali's Vijayadasmi prayers

Oh Lord of Dance, Lord Nataraja

Teacher conducting Vijayadasmi prayers

Explaining the meaning of Vijayadasmi

Students doing their own prayers

Offering their respects

Students praying together

Parents joining in the prayers

A shot with Naatyaanjali's senior students

Junior Naatyaanjalis posing with Anjali muthra (Naatyaanjali's symbol)

Group photo after prayers

Receiving blessings from the Teacher

Little ones rushing for goodies

Chocolates bring on the smiles
(C) Exams
Theory and practical exams were held for all classes on 5 and 12 Nov 16. No mid-year exam was held in May this year.
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