The Bharatanatyam Arangetram (Indian classical dance debut) of Fumiko Ono is as rare as it gets. Staging an Arangetram is tough enough for an Indian dancer but Fumiko shows that there are indeed no barriers in dance. Bhaskar’s Arts Academy’s teaching wing, Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society, is proud to present, Fumiko’s debut.
Fumiko has been learning Bharatanatyam since the age of 5 when her parents first came to Singapore from Japan. She enrolled with Mr & Mrs Bhaskar at the Singapore National Theatre as her mother wanted her to learn an art form from Singapore to help her integrate better in this foreign country. When she returned to Japan, Fumiko struggled to keep in touch with the art form that she loved.
Moving back to Singapore in 2004, Fumiko is now a permanent resident here and works in the finance sector. She was able to reconnect with Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society and its founder Mrs Santha Bhaskar, a Cultural Medallion recipient. Her passion for Bharatanatyam was reignited when she resumed classes under her new guru Ms Dhana Bharathi, and since then her dedication and love for this art form has deepened.
“Fumiko brings maturity and grace to this art form. Her dedication and passion are highly commendable,” says Ms Bharathi.
When asked to describe what Bharatanatyam means to her, Fumiko explained that when she hears the beats of the Mridangam (percussion instrument), her body moves and responds automatically to the music. She feels that she is taken to a different world when she dances.
Fumiko also describes performing her Arangetram under Nirtyalaya Aesthetics Society in Singapore as one of her long-time dreams and after completing it, she hopes to share this beautiful form of art with the next generation.
Event Schedule:
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Fumiko Ono
Date: 1 November 2014, Saturday
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Rd, Singapore 258130
