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Arangetram is the debut (Arangettam - അരങ്ങേറ്റം in Malayalam) on-stage performance of a former student of Indian classical dance and music. This first performance follows years of training. Many Indian classical dance forms perform an arangettam once the time has come for a disciple. In Malayalam Arangu means stage and Ettam means rising or climbing.




In newer times, Arangetrams have become popular in the US and Europe. Some evolve into lavish affairs rather than a celebration of the art. Like other activities that children pursue, Arangetrams have been criticised for creating peer pressure. Although Arangetrams used to be meant for students with intensive training (close to eight years) with an intent to pursue the art, many now use it for self gratification. [1].


In Tamil Arangam means a stage and etram means rising or climbing, thus arangetram literally means climbing the stage or reaching the stage. It refers to the graduation ceremony where the guru presents his or her pupil to the public.[2] It traces its origins to the devdasi (temple dancer) tradition.[3] Arangetram can be done for other Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and vocal and instruments like Mridangam, ghatam, and violin.


  1. ^ "How arangetrams have become lavish affairs".
  2. ^ Arangetram Archived May 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Anne-Marie Gaston (1996). Bharata natyam: from temple to theatre. Manohar. p. 225.
  • Arangetram (dance debut) in Bharathanatyam: a rite of passage for the court and temple dancers of India, by Hira Harish Panth. State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1993.

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