A Parsi mother-daughter duo is set to perform their ‘arangetram’ together after years of training in Bharatanatyam. Arangetram, a Tamil word, which means ‘ascent to the stage’, marks a dancer’s graduation to a professional performer on stage.
When motivational speaker Maharukh Chichgar, 58, takes the stage at Surat’s Rang Bhavan on Jan 13, it will mark the culmination of a dream deferred for half a century. She will be performing alongside her 29-year-old daughter Mahazarin Variava.
Article by Vishal.Patadiya | Times of India
Theirs is a story of persistence across generations, of dreams revived, and of a mother’s determination to ensure her daughter does not leave her own artistic journey unfinished.
Speaking to TOI, Chichgar said: “I began training under Neela Raval when I was in Class 2. I discontinued it when I was in Class 7. It had been my dream to complete it sometime later, but could not do so due to studies, marriage, job and other compulsions. My daughter too left Bharatanatyam after four years of training. I did not want her to do what I did. I wanted her to complete her training.”
Mahazarin, who was also being trained in Bharatanatyam by Raval, got married a few years ago. She became a mother of two, now aged six and four. However, Chichgar kept encouraging her to resume her dance training. To make sure Mahazarin completed the training, Chichgar too decided to enrol with her and realise her dream as well.
“I kept telling my mother that I am the mother of two children now, and it would tough for me to complete it. I am also a teacher at Lourdes Convent. Covid added another layer of complexity. However, my mother started preparing with me for Madhyama, Visharad Dwitiya and Visharad Purna (5th, 6th, and 7th year). We took all three exams in the same hall. By God’s grace, we completed the course last month,” says Mahazarin.
The duo started rigorous training for the seventh year in 2019. However, Covid disrupted their plans. They resumed their training in 2022 and finally took their exams in 2024.
“This arangetram is a ‘guru dakshina’ to our guru Neela Raval, who has worked hard to inspire and train women like us. The arangetram is going to be a very emotional experience for us as my daughter and I will be performing together and that too in front of our guru,” Chichgar said.