Shobhini is a senior at UR, majoring in Economics and Spanish. She is the president and choreographer of Bollywood Jhatkas, but she has been formally training in Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form since she was five years old. The excerpt she will be performing today is from her Arangetram, a dancer's graduation, that she completed last year. 

Title: Gaanam Isaithu
Choreographed by: Chitra Muralidharan and Ananya Sangeetha
Music : Gaanam Isaithu by Madurai R. Muralidharan
Performer: Shobhini Kumar

Bharathanatyam (baa·ruh·taa·naa·tee·uhm) is a traditional dance form originating from the south of India. It blends pure rhythmic movement, expressive storytelling, and dramatic performance to narrate stories from mythology and poetry. This performance is an excerpt from the song Gaanam Isaithu, which means “while you were listening to the music”. It is the story of a girl who is in love with the Hindu god Krishna, and she questions him, “How could you forget about me? I was waiting for you, but you were off playing your music.” This short excerpt showcases both pure dance and theatrical storytelling.