Vijayadasmi / Saraswati Puja
Vijayadasmi falls on the 10th day of Navaratri season every year. It is the day when you celebrate your knowledge and pay homage to your teachers/Guru to commence new things. It is mandatory for dance and music students to come to class and pay their respects to the Guru on this day.
At Soundarya Natya Kalalaya, we celebrate Vijayadasmi in class on a scheduled day when parents & students can join in large numbers & take blessings of -
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Lord Ganesha, who is the remover of all obstacles & patron of the arts
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Goddess Saraswati, who is the ultimate embodiment of all knowledge & performing arts
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Lord Nataraja, who is worshipped as the God of Dance
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Our Gurus & Teachers, who share their knowledge with us & lead our minds from darkness into the light.
Significance of Saraswati Puja
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The student understands the importance and relevance of the Guru-Shishya parampara.
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Every student gets a chance to dance to the lessons learnt in class thus signifying the beginning of another year of learning.
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Parents & friends have an opportunity to watch the students perform their lessons learnt in class and encourage them further.
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There is no better day than Vijayadasmi for new students to begin learning a new art form. If you want to start a new venture, or start teaching your child alphabets or begin to learn arts, you need not look forward to any other auspicious day other than Vijayadasmi.
Honoring the Guru
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As a child I was initiated into this tradition by my parents & Gurus.
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Even now, every year, I ensure to pay my respects to all my teachers no matter where I am or how far I am from them.
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They train me in all performing arts -
- Music/SANGEETAM
- Instrumental/VAADYAM
- Rhythm/Nattuvangam/THALAM
- Dance/NATYAM
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It strengthens my bond with my Gurus. I ensure to express my gratitude to them on the occasion of Vijayadasmi & seek their eternal blessings which keeps me going in my journey of performing arts.
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It bestows me with everlasting memories for life.
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I started the Vijayadasmi tradition at our class in 2015 and I hope & pray that we are able to continue this ritual for the years to come.
Dress Code
1) Attire : Indian traditional wear.
The student can come well-dressed in any of the below festive attires for the occasion -
- Silk skirt and top (Pavadai and blouse) with comfortable leggings.
It should reach until ankle length so you can sit comfortably in half-sit posture when dancing.
- Indian salwar kameez.
- Or any other Indian outfit (like chaniya-choli etc.) worn with comfortable leggings.
- Adult students & seniors will come in traditional dance practice saree ONLY.
2) Guru Dakshina : Offering Guru Dakshina to the teacher is a tradition wherein the student acknowledges,
thanks and pays respect to the Guru or Acharya for imparting and sharing his/her knowledge with the
student.
Traditionally, a student should bring the following in a paper bag-
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Coconut
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Turmeric (haldi / manjal)
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Vermillion (kum kum)
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Betel leaves (paan leaf / vethalai)
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Betel nuts (supari / pakku)
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Fruits
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Flowers
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Guru Dakshina in his/her offering to the Teacher.
IMPORTANT NOTE - Students will bring the Tamboolam offering in a paper/gift bag with your name labeled on it. Please avoid bringing plastic trays or bags.
3) Worshipping the Dance Bells : The sacred dance bells (called Salangai, Ghunghroo or Gejje) are the most precious asset of a dancer. It acknowledges the commitment & sincere aspiration of the dancer to ascend the ladder of serious learning.
Students who have completed their PUSHPA-KINKINI or SALANGAI PUJA milestones in our school are required to bring their dance bells every year for the Vijayadasmi puja to worship and respect their importance.
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PUSHPA-KINKINI -
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These are those students who were given their first set of Salangai / Ghunghuroo / Gejje or 2-3 line dance bells by the Guru.
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Students who have completed the 'Pushpa-Kinkini' milestone in their dance journey - those who have completed learning the foundational steps as well as Alarippu (traditional compositions from the Bharatanatyam repertoire/margam).
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SALANGAI PUJA -
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These are students who have completed the 'Salangai Puja / Ghunghuroo Puja / Gejje Puja' milestone in their dance journey - those who have completed learning nearly 4-5 traditional compositions of the Bharatanatyam repertoire/margam and completed their Salangai Puja performance on stage.
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THANK YOU !
Here are some glimpses of our Vijayadasmi Celebrations (2015-2022)...
