Vote of Thanks

Good evening everyone.

Thank you so much to every one for being here today. When we had first decided that we wanted to have my Arangetram, my family and I did not know what we had signed ourselves up for. Over the course this past few months we have come to the conclusion that planning an Arangetram is like planning a wedding just "without a groom".

The journey that has led me up to this day has been quite interesting and with more ups than downs. There a lot people here today that I would like to thank for making this event a huge success. Looking through each row and seeing all of you that have come out for this event, I can find at least one thing to thank each one of you for. Everyone has contributed in one way or another A lot of time and effort was put into making this event a success. So If I forget someone please forgive me.

First I  am going to start by thanking God and then my Grandma,

“MY NANI “who flew down from India just for my Arangetram.
 “SO THANK YOU NANI I LOVE YOU. “

Then I want to thank my Guru, Vani Aunty. For the past 5 years she has been an amazing dance teacher to me . I started dancing with Guru Kavita Kuppuswamy or "Kavita teacher "as we all fondly called her and continued with Dr. Barboza for a year. Kavita teacher gave me a strong foundation and Vani Aunty continued where she & Dr Barboza left off and made me into the dancer that I am today. Vani Aunty has done an awesome job of preparing me for today.So thank u Vani Aunty.

Next I would like to thank my mom, dad and little brother Arnav. This event put a lot of pressure and stress on all of us day and night my mom was the on the phone with someone or the other planning, coordinating, booking, hiring, editing ,anything, you name it, she was working on it. At night instead of sleeping, she would be up on the phone till 3-4 in the morning talking to people in India and coordinating with my dad who was in UK for work.I am grateful to my parents for their persistence without which I don’t think I would ever started dancing. Dancing has become a very big part of my life, so thank you mom dad & Arnav for being there for me.

Next I want to thank Mr. Rivera, the Norwalk high school band director for helping us acquire the auditorium. Without him this Arangetram would probably have been in my back yard. Also a big  thank you to Ms. Pettibone the High school choir director and her assistant Ricky for taking care of the technical, lighting and sound part of the show.

I want to thank Renu Aunty for doing my hair, make up & basically keeping me sane backstage. She has been here since 11am this morning. So thank u Renu Aunty. I want to thank Shreya for keeping my confidence going in between performances.

I want to thank my chachu, who has been on his feet since this morning taking care of all the behind the scenes stuff here at the venue. I want to thank my chachi for just showing up yesterday & ironing all 3 of my costumes ( that was a lot of work), then again this morning and sowing my costumes so they hold for my performances.

I want to thank chachu and chachi, Shamaji, Juhi Aunty, Janita Aunty, Anu Aunty, Sonali Aunty , Cindy, for schlepping me to and from my class in Trumbull whenever my parents couldn’t. Thank you to Anu Aunty for being an awesome MC, Thank you to Zee aunty for being basically our Event Consultant. Thank you to Sharon for being our photographer & my mom's support system even though they met just 2 weeks back. Thank you Shawn for being our videographer.

I want to thank Vivek for taking all the awesome amazing pictures that you  are seeing in the brochures and in the displays outside.

Thank you to all of my mom's friends & my friends for being a part of the decoration & welcome committee.

Thank you everyone for coming today and making this day one that I will remember & cherish forever.

Mahika

Guest Book Sat -11th Aug 2012

 

Dear Mahika,

I wanted you to know how impressed I was with your Arangetram!  You were beautiful, graceful, full of love for dance and it showed!!  I was thrilled to be able to witness your many years of hard work.  I can't get over the amount of dances you performed and the physical strength you exhibited.  You are an amazing, smart, gorgeous young woman and I am blessed to know you and to watch you blossom!  Thank you for including me in your very special day!!

 I thank your family for including me - it meant so much!

Lots of love,Mrs. Fallon

We cannot thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of such a special day for your family. As outsiders to your culture we were not sure what to expect. We were amazed with the grace, charm and beauty we saw in every dance. We are so much more enriched as a family after witnessing Mahika's special day .Thank you again !

Eva. ( Bartush Family)

Messages for Mahika

Dearest Mahika,

From the day you trotted in at the age of 4 or so, if I remember correctly, intomy  dance class, it was a joy to teach you. I feel very happy to see that as your Adi Guru, the traditions and discipline of learning and practicing Indian Classical dance (Odissi) that I was able instill in you, you adhered to it through thick and thins with the guidance of your parents and grew to be an accomplished dancer. For all the joys of dance we shared every moment shall be close to my heart and I wish you all the very best in everything you do. I am sure you will always be grateful for the efforts of your mom and my good friend , dad and the support of your lil brother :)

With many blessed souls guiding you, may you reach the zenith in dance and arts.

With love and hugs

Anu Aunty

 Anindita Anu Nanda, Soortaal School of Indian Dance and Music

www.soortaal.org

Dear Mahika,

             I remember vividly you walking into my dance class in my First Condo's Club House in 2002! I was about 2 Years into teaching and was thrilled to see a little girl with so much natural skill and drive to practice. You always came well prepared for class and that made my job easier! For 4 Years after that I enjoyed watching you grow in dance Class, at your fusion & Classical Performances all around the tri-state area, and most of all into a beautiful, graceful and polished young girl! I looked forward to our Dance Lessons where in you showed exceptional reverence to the art form and to your teacher. I also appreciated the effort, support and dedication shown by your Mom, Dad and "Little Arnav" in your Journey.
                Today- fast forwarding to a Decade since I met you, I am not surprised at how beautifully you have evolved into a Dancer with Flair and immense Grace. I am Proud to call myself your first Bharatnatyam dance teacher and am grateful to be a friend to your amazing family. God Bless you in all your endeavors in life, and May you be blessed with everything this world has to offer that is good for You! Congratulations on your Arangetram- I am so sorry that Family commitments have kept me from being able to see it in person- But my Thoughts, Prayers and Blessings are with you- This Day and Forever!

Love,“Kavita Teacher “
Kavita Kuppuswamy – Kavitanjali School of Dance,Plano ,Texas

Dear Mahika, I have seen you to be a very talented, hard working and dedicated student. I wish you every success, satisfaction and happiness in your endeavor in the pursuit of this divine art,”Dance”. My special blessings for you on this great day of your life. Congratulations to you Mahika, to your parents and your Dance Gurujan Smt Vani .
Dr.Francis Barboza-Director of Satyaradhna Institute of Performing Arts, Iselin, NJ

Dear Mahika,
Congratulations! It was a pleasure teaching you dance - you are such a graceful dancer. I still remember 'O Re Kanchi' for Heritage India festival at Fairfield when you were little. And of course the Kathak dance at Fairfield University. I am so looking forward to your Arangentram.
Love,
Mousumi Aunty
-------------------
Mousumi Bhattacharya
Tripti School of Dance
Westport, CT

Dear Mahika
Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another, so dance like no one is watching you. We all are very proud of you for getting this far, but this is not the end, this is just a beginning.......

So be always inspired and be always motivated, and I am sure you are going to go a long way. Teaching you has always been a pleasure for me, you are a wonderful student and a good listener.I has always been impressed by your enthusiasm, your dedication and your hard work. Continue to be respectful towards your dance and towards your parents who have worked really hard to bring you this far. My heartiest congratulations to you,” Just dazzle  on the stage.”

Good luck to you sweetheart.
Khushi Aunty

Khushi Kumar – Dance Instructor Choreographer  Fairfield ,CT

 

 

Thank you dear Mahika, my blessings are with you on this special day. I am sure you will be awesome and do a fantastic job and graduate in flying colours. Please don't stress yourself, be calm and everything will go  very well. Please make sure you get plenty of rest and eat well - you need the energy. Thank you for making me a part of your special day. I will see you Saturday morning atyour home to get you ready.

Once again many blessings

Renu Aunty
Renu Kurien -Make up Artist