Hastaswara Performing Arts was established by Sangeetha Agarwal with the aim of promoting and spreading the classical art forms of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
The word HastaSwara beautifully combines the words “Hasta” for Hasta Mudras or hand gestures and “Swara” meaning musical note. True to its name HastaSwara Performing Arts emphasizes South Indian classical dance and music forms of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music.
The school’s motto is finding Happiness through Dance and Music.
Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music Classes are offered during Weekdays and Weekends for kids and adults. Classes are offered in Lorton, VA.
Bharatanatyam is a form of Indian classical dance originating in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
HastaSwara offers certification programs in Bharatanatyam. More information maybe found here Dance Certification.
Students of Bharatanatyam are able to perform an arangetram after they have completed formal training in dance and have met all of the requirements as laid out by the teacher. HastaSwara requires that the student has learnt at a minimum the following items – Pushpanjali, Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam/Keertanam/Javali and a Thillana. The Student should also have gained experience reciting sollukattus and must have a minimum of one year of experience teaching classes. Learning a certain number of years does not guarantee that the student would perform the arangetram. The teacher assesses the commitment and skill level of the student and decides whether the student is ready.
The school is also offering a new program called “Natya Samarpanam” for Bharatanatyam. Dance is a journey, one that goes on for life. “Natya Samarpanam” program is designed to encourage motivated students who have been training in Bharatanatyam for a number of years as determined by the teacher and have learnt and perfected a collection of dance items to present a program in front of friends, family and peers. This performance is often performed with recorded music and may include a few select items from the Bharatanatyam margam (Pushpanjali, Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Keertanam, Javali and a Thillana). This program teaches students to push themselves to work toward a goal, instills commitment and fosters a lifelong love for learning.
Carnatic music is considered one of the oldest systems of music in the world. It is associated with the southern part of India.
HastaSwara offers certification programs in Carnatic music. More information maybe found here Music Certification.
The school offers a new program called “Sangeetha Samarpanam” for Carnatic Music.
Carnatic Music is an ocean – one lifetime is not quite enough to learn and master everything. “Sangeetha Samarpanam” program is designed to encourage motivated students who have been training in Carnatic music for 3 to 5 years to present an hour and a half hour long concert in a formal setting. The students train vigorously for over a year, learn and perfect a collection of songs and perform amongst peers, friend and family, accompanied by members of orchestra. This program teaches students to push themselves to work toward a goal, instills commitment and fosters a lifelong love for learning.
Students of Carnatic Music are also able to perform an arangetram after they have completed formal training in Carnatic Music and have met all of the requirements as laid out by the teacher. HastaSwara requires that the student knows a minimum of 25 varnams and 100 kritis in various ragams by various composers. The Student should also have a good grasp of the various thalams and have a good theoretical knowledge of the history of the great musicians.