Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 125

Avni Shah
After dancing for approximately seven years, it was time for me to perform my Arangetrum, the solo dance debut. This performance is a graduation ceremony that celebrates the completion of a certain level of dance. Being Jain, it was my desire to devote the Varnam, the most demanding and longest dance in Bharatanatyam, to a Tirthankara. To make my Varnam unique, my parents and I examined numerous stories about different Tirthankaras, until we decided to dedicate the dance to Lord Mahavira. We devoted this dance to him because of his accomplishments and influence he has had on my life through Pathshala, the temple and my family. Knowing that Lord Mahavira's life has impacted us all, I performed this thirty-five minute dance, which was the best way to express my religion through dance while providing inspiration to others.
When I got up on that stage and started to perform, I forgot about everything else in the world and let the dance overtake me. When I performed my Varnam, I let the inspiration and devotion toward Lord Mahavira empower me. The whole audience was really captivated throughout the program, especially during the Varnam. They felt connected because it was about their religion and their language, so they understood it all.
My best gift was being given the opportunity to do such a dance about Jainism. I have benefited tremendously from dancing because it has taught me so much about the theory of dance, maneuvers and gracefulness, and has brought me closer to my religion. I continue to learn both, and will continue to do so in the future. Through dance, other people can learn religion and feel inspired. When I see young children learning dance, it makes me very happy, strengthening my belief that through dance, everyone has faith. Dance promotes peace and religion, and if everyone embraces it, the world will be a happier, safer place.
Avni Shah, age 17, has served on the Jain Center Youth Council Board.
During the Rangashree Dance School Annual Program on 29 June 2008, Avni performed a dance to the stavan "Avo Avo Dev Amara" which displays the story of Chandanbala
Jain Center is the main part of my life right now, since it is who I am, who I want to be, and who I will become.
Hershal Solanki, 17