LOS ANGELES: Ranjani Sarode, student at Thalam School of Fine Arts, disciple of Natya Peroli Nalini Natarajan, and daughter of Mrs. Mamtha and Dr. Neelkanda, had her Bharatha Natyam Arangetram at the Reseda High School Auditorium.

Navid Ali, Deputy Director of LA county Supervisor Mike Antonovich, was the Chief Guest for the evening. Deepika Sarode was the MC for the evening. It was a typical, traditional Thanjavur style arangetram.

The program started with the Vandhanam and continued with pushpanjani, alarippu, jatheswaram. The song selection was very interesting some new and some were very old (dated back to the 8th Century).

Ranjani mesmerized the audience with her fast footwork and beautiful expressions. The audience responded with thundering applause after that breath taking, non-stop, item. The second half started with the Padams.

One of the padams was the Thalam School's dance, by Padmashree Jesudas and the other one was famous Gopalakrishna Bharathi's Nadanam Adinar. Ranjani's expressions were wonderful, especially the shy ones.

Another important piece of this Arangetram was the video presentation in between the items. The first one was about Bharatha Natyam and the forefathers Thanjavur Quadrats, the second one was about guru Nalini Natarajan and her Thalam School of Fine Arts and the third one was about Ranjani, her parents and sister Deepika.

Ranjani was a grade "A" student and one of the valedictorians of Reseda High school. She is also talented in drawing and paintings.