Aarushi Pant

🪔 About

Aarushi Pant is an emerging Indian classical dancer specializing in Bharatanatyam. Her journey in Indian classical dance commenced approximately 13 years prior to her Arangetram, placing the start of her formal training around 2009. She is a dedicated student of Guru Sridevi Ajai Thirumalai at the Natyamani School of Dance. Pant marked a significant milestone in her dance career with her Bharatanatyam Arangetram, a three-hour solo performance, on July 2, 2022. The event took place at the Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, before an audience of approximately 250 people. At the time of her Arangetram, she was 18 years old. Her Arangetram repertoire featured ten distinct dances, divided into two halves. The performance showcased Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (footwork and expressions), and Natya (pure expression or abhinaya). Pant captivated the audience with her portrayal of various Hindu deities and mythological characters, including Lord Ganesh in “Gaye Ganapati,” the love story of Ram and Sita in “Deva Devam Bhaje,” Lord Shiva in the Varnam, and both Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali in “Tripura Sundari,” as well as “Baby Krishna” in “Maiyya Mori.” The live orchestra accompanying her performance included vocalist Murali Pavitran Vasudevan, mridangist Murali Balachandran, violinist Tara Anand Bangalore, and rhythmist Sudarshan Thirumalai. Guru Sridevi Thirumalai provided the Nattuvangam for the event. During a brief intermission, a slideshow presented by Pant explained the various mudras (hand gestures) used in her performance. Her parents are Mandy and Pankaj Pant, and her sister, Nishka Pant, emceed the event.