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Before delving into the myriad of topics that will be discussed in the future, it is critical to understand the following points:

1) Every one's prospective. experience, and situation is different. Advice and opinions provided in this blog may or may not apply to you. Ignore things that may not seem to apply to you. Please do not be offended and gripe about things that you feel are addressed specifically in your direction. It is just a coincidence.

2) Comments and questions are welcome, but please note that I will incorporate the questions/feedback at some point in the future if I feel it is serious. However, I give priority to my clients. If you are one, I recommend that you contact me directly to get an immediate response, rather than wait for months for me to address the question.

3) I may occasionally recommend/praise products/people. Please note that I do not receive any compensation for the suggestions/advice. I do not know what your experience will be. If you opt to use the recommendation, I welcome feedback on your experience. People/products change over time, and I would love to know your experience, and change the suggestions if needed.

4) I am a strong proponent of the philosophy - JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD. There will a lot of information/options offered in this blog. It does not mean every bit should be implemented. Even if budget is not an issue, factors such as aesthetics and practicality should be taken into account to make the best use of the advice.

Hopefully the information in this blog will help with planning your event better, make a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved, reduce costs, and help preserve the cherished moments better. Over time, the blog will explore the following topics.

o Audio/sound system considerations (dancer, orchestra, audience)
o Aspects of lighting design/setup (a mammoth topic)
o Aesthetics for the stage and lobby
o Tips and details on how to plan the whole event, and the day of performance better
o Back stage support/considerations
o Importance of hydration, nutrition, health
o Advice on selecting the best value of video/photography (pre and post event) services
o Options on invitations/program notes and other related materials
o The variety of ways to save moments from the event

Any other suggestions for topics? Let me know.

Where do we start? When to begin?

Many parents contact me a few months before an arangetram. However, lately I have been asked about photography services almost a year in advance. This is a positive trend. It is best to begin planning on some level, as soon as the dancer's potential and commitment to the Art is recognized.

I appreciate why most dancers and teachers see the arangetram as a milestone in their artistic (and spiritual) journey. I repeatedly hear how Arangetrams motivate dancers to push their limits, and delve deeper into themselves. Most dancers are transformed substantially, while working on the performance, and they mature far quicker. Their stamina and form improves. The bond with the dance form and guru) evolves, and their appreciation of the Art improves by substantially.

Once the parents/dancer know that the ranga pravesham will be a milestone, it is a good idea to improve knowledge of what aspects have to be planned, even if the arangetram is 5-6 (or longer) years away! Begin by educating yourself and exploring your likes/dislikes. It will help set the scope of the event, and a plan a more accurate budget. Additionally it will help hone your appreciation of quality productions. Of course, the guru will help a great deal, at a later stage of the process, but with a keen and curious eye/ear, a lot can be accomplished much earlier. You will be prepared to ask better questions, and plan efficiently. It will result in a less stressful, more classy, and less expensive arangetram.

A good way to start is by becoming more aware of aspects of an arangetram, and begin gathering information. For example, is there a particular invitation design you liked, or saw at a friend 's place? What did you like about it? Who was the designer? Did you like the quality of the print materials and accuracy of the colors? What are some of the other invitations that this designer worked on? Were the hosts happy with the process with the designer? Does the designer consistently create good designs/prints? Start a scrap book and save your favorite invitations. It will be useful later.

While I provided examples involving invitations, one can expand the scope to the program notes, costumes, lighting, venues, catering, video, lighting, make7up, sound/audio, stage presentation, lobby decor, musicians, etc. Start sensitizing to as many facets of an event/production. Attend high-end professional productions and experience the ambiance and presentations. Note the attention to detail on the etiquettes followed by the audience, the smoothness of execution, the lighting, costumes, sets, coordination, marketing material, etc. Many parent begin this process/journey only in the last year before the event and can be overwhelmed by the volume of information. Starting several years earlier allows for a more relaxed manner of improving awareness and absorbing information.

Another way to improve your experience is to help families planning or executing arangetrams. One can learn a lot from supporting and observing the behind the scenes (month ahead or on the day of the ) activity. Please keep in mind that it is the other family's event, use wise judgment/common sense if/when to put in your two cents in. With the right attitude, and sincerity it can become a symbiotic relationship. Additionally, there is a higher probability of getting experienced help/advice when you need it later.

Last year, a guru who has been teaching for more than two decades, remarked at her daughter's Arangetram, that she now had a new appreciation for what parents go through! She did not realize how much work was needed as an organizer. It is never too early to educate yourself. In a few weeks, we will delve into another aspect of how to organize a better ranga pravesham.