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Punjabi girl performed Bharatnatyam Arangetram in America
WSN Network
 Dayton: Bahar Cheema, a sixteen year old Punjabi girl living in
Dayton, Ohio, USA performed her Bharatnatyam Arangetram on the stage
of the
Springboro
High school auditorium. The Arangetram is a culmination of years of
training in the South Indian classical dance Bharatnatyam. The
audience observes the dancer’s talent and expertise in this very
difficult classical dance f orm. The event was a success as 500
people came to witness Bahar’s graceful and expressive dance
performance. She performed eight dances over a period of three
hours and was required to maintain endurance as well as emotional
expressions during the entire show. The strenuous routine tested
Bahar’s stamina along with her grace and expertise.
Bharatnatyam is the oldest classical dance originating from Tamil
Nadu. Guests came from far and wide to attend this auspicious
occasion. Dr. Baljit S.Sidhu from Fresno, California, Dr. Sukhjinder
S. Goraya from New Jersey, Dr. Prabhjot S. Pannu from Indianapolis,
Dr.Charanjit Singh Gumtala Patron Amritsar Vikas Manch from Amritsar,
Bahar's grandfather S. Inder Singh Cheema from Gurdaspur, India ,
Kamal Virk, Soni Virk S. Surjit S. Virk and Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Virk
from California, Dr. Bal Gilja, Dhanwant fom New York attended the
function. Many prominent local Indians like Dr. Darshan S. Sehbi,
Dr. Gurjeet Kahlon, Dr. N.S. Brar, Dr. Kuldip S. Rattan , Mr. Avtar
Singh Springfield, Sameep Singh Gumtala and Mr. Gurdip Mann were
also present.
Bahar has shown interest in dance and music from a very young age.
She has learned many different styles of dance such as Bhangra,
ballet, garba, raas, and Bharatnatyam and truly enjoys performing
them. She has participated in numerous cultural functions and stage
shows over the years. She started learning Bharatnatyam at seven
years of age under the able guidance of her guru Shyamal Patel.
Although Bahar is from a Punjabi family, and was born in the
USA,
she demonstrated that music and dance is universal. She carries a
passion for Bharatnatyam because she feels that it is a very
expressive and artistic dance form. Bahar is also an honor student
and excels in all subjects in school. In spite of her busy schedule
at school, she devoted a lot of time meticulously training for this
important performance.
There were some accomplished Baharatnatyam teachers in the audience
who commented that Bahar’s performance was extremely graceful and
authentic. Her parents, Dr. Rajkamal Cheema and Mrs. Jassi Cheema
have always supported her love for dance and music. Her father, Dr.
Rajkamal Cheema who is as good as a professional Bhangra dancer has
formed a Bhangra team in
Dayton,
Ohio, USA and has been teaching Bhangra to children for many years.
. Bahar Cheema's family is from village Samsa ( near Sri
HarGobindpur) in Gurdaspur, Punjab. Her grandfather and grandmother
live there on the family farm. Bahar's dad Dr. Rajkamal jit Cheema
came to USA in 1992 after finishing M.B;B.S from Guru Gobind Singh
medical college, Faridkot. He did M.D. in internal medicine and then
specialised in Gastoenterology ( digestive diseases) at Wright State
University, Dayton, Ohio. He is in private practice here in
Dayton,
USA.
16
July, 2008
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