Mrunal Thoolkar, an Arangetram exponent, leaves audience spell bound with her prowess

Mrunal Thoolkar

Nagpur Today.

She started learning Arangetram, a classical dance form of South India, since she was a kid and has won numerous laurels throughout her journey. She has demonstrated her prowess and hard work since childhood and has achieved excellence both in dance and music.

This Arangetram exponent is Mrunal Thoolkar, a student of final year BE in local Yashwantrao Chavan College of Engineering. Being disciple of renowned Bharatnatyam exponent Ratnam Janardhan, Mrunal mesmerised audience with her Arangetram skills at an event held at Vasantrao Deshpande Hall recently.

Arangetram, a Tamil word, literally means ascending or reaching the stage. It is an important milestone for an aspiring dancer. On the occasion the Arangetram dancer presents her art with great devotion, seeking the blessings of the Divine Dancer, Lord Nataraja and her Gurus.

Mrunal has given more than 200 performances. Some noteworthy performances include those in international dance festivals like Europe Monacco Festival at Monacco, Indo-Dubai Cultural Fiesta at Dubai and several national festivals. She has been winner at various inter-school and state level competitions as well. Mrunal has to her credit various awards like Nritya Kala Bhushan Puraskar, Nrutya Nivedita Puraskar, Nirdhar Mahila Samman, etc. She also given performances on Doordarshan’s ‘Dum-Dama-Dum,’ and Sony Entertainment Channel’s Boogie Woogie contest.

At the Deshpande Hall programme, Mrunal performed 8 distinct forms of Bharatnatyam and Arangetram one after another and left the audience spell bound. Her Guru Ratnam Janardhan was also felicitated with memento and bouquet on the occasion.

Cheif guest of the event was Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and guest of honour was Adv Sulekha Kumbhare, Sunil Dive and Ratheesh Babu.

Mrunal within a short time rose to prominence and won many accolades and prizes. Mrunal’s Arangetram was a visual feast for dance connoisseurs and lovers alike.