Nachammai’s ‘Shanmargam’ marks a milestone in her Bharatanatyam journey
SINGAPORE: Years of training under successive teachers culminated in a significant milestone for 21-year-old Nachammai Sivasanthoshi Vairavan, who presented her Bharatanatyam arangetram, Shanmargam, at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore, on 31 October 2026.
Presented in the traditional margam format, the recital comprised eight items, including an Ashtapadi, a Varnam and a Tillana. A full house of 425 people, including dignitaries and members of the arts community, gathered for the occasion.
Nachammai trains under Ms Keerti Iyer of Beej Academy. Accompanying her were vocalist Ms Aditi Gopinath, Mr Ramanan on the mridangam, Ms Sri Vidhya Sriram on the violin and Mr Saravanan on the flute.
The Guest of Honour was veteran Bharatanatyam exponent Smt Sitaravamma Sandrasegaren, Senior Consultant in Bharatanatyam at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. In her address, she emphasised the importance of children learning an art form and the role such an education can play in nurturing their values.
For Nachammai, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), the recital marked another chapter in a journey that began at the age of seven. She first learnt Bharatanatyam under Smt Seetha Ravama of Kalapeetam before continuing her training at Alapana with Vidushi Ankitha Prajwal at the age of ten. Since 2020, she has trained under Ms Keerti Iyer.
Following her Salangai Poojai in 2023, Nachammai has performed at community and cultural events across Singapore, including MCCY’s HarmonyFest, SINDA’s Project Give, the People’s Association’s Narpani Carnival and Mega India Expo. She has also performed at temples during Navarathri, Vasantha Utsavam and Mandalabhishekam celebrations.
A memorable occasion came in 2025, when she performed in the presence of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana’s Deepavali Open House.
Her performances have also taken her overseas. She participated in the Margazhi Isai Nigazhchi 2025 at Tamil Isai Sangam in India and performed at the Kundrathur Murugan Temple in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year.
Beyond dance, Nachammai pursues the traditional art of kolam, creating works around different themes. She also serves as General Secretary of the SIM Psychology Society for the 2026–2027 academic year, balancing her artistic interests with her studies and student leadership responsibilities.
