✦   You Are Cordially Invited To   ✦

Lasya Voonna's

Bharatanatyam Arangetram

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Doors open 3:00 PM  ·  Performance begins 3:30 PM ET

Bridgewater Balaji Temple Auditorium, NJ

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Lasya Voonna performing Bharatanatyam in traditional red and green costume with gold jewellery

Lasya Voonna

Lasya Voonna's journey in Bharatanatyam began at the age of seven, drawn by the mesmerizing rhythms and graceful movements of this ancient classical dance form. Over the years, she has trained with dedication and devotion under the expert guidance of her beloved Guru, Smt. Aparna Ram, at Sri Saraswathi Nrityalaya.

"Dance has become not just an art form for Lasya, but a way of life — teaching her discipline, patience, and the beauty of self-expression."

Through countless hours of rigorous practice, Lasya has developed a deep appreciation for the rich traditions of Bharatanatyam — its intricate footwork (nritta), expressive storytelling (abhinaya), and the profound spiritual connection that flows through every movement.

This Arangetram marks a significant milestone in Lasya's artistic journey — her solo debut performance, presenting the traditional Margam to family, friends, and the community. It is a culmination of years of learning and a beautiful beginning of her lifelong journey as a Bharatanatyam dancer.

Guru & Musicians

Guru · Nattuvanar

Smt. Aparna Ram

Sri Saraswathi Nrityalaya

Acharya Smt. Aparna Ram began her Bharatanatyam journey at age five under the legendary Kalaimamani Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman at the 87-year-old institution, Sri Saraswathy Gana Nilayam. After a decade of intensive tutelage and the blessings from her Guru, she became a teacher at the academy, training numerous students alongside her Guru.

As a young performer, Aparna graced prestigious stages across India and abroad—including Colombo, Mauritius, and the US—performing at the Konark and Chidambaram Natyanjali festivals, and for Chennai Doordarshan. In recognition of her talent, she was awarded the title "Natya Thilakam."

In 2002, Aparna founded Sri Saraswathi Nrityalaya in New Jersey. She provides her students with rigorous training and frequent performance opportunities in festivals and competitions. Believing that leadership and learning are inseparable, she continues her own advanced studies under Acharya Ratnakara Smt. Padmini Krishnamurthy.

The Orchestra

Nattuvangam

Acharya Smt. Aparna Ram

The Nattuvanar conducts the dance recital, reciting rhythmic syllables (sollukattus) and playing the cymbals to guide the dancer through each composition.

Vocalist

Smt. Sitalaxmi Viswanathan

The vocalist brings the sahityam (lyrics) to life, singing the compositions that the dancer interprets through movement and expression.

Mridangam

Sri. Sandeep Iyer

The mridangam is the primary percussion instrument, providing the rhythmic foundation (talam) that drives the dancer's footwork.

Violin

Smt. Radhika Devarajan

The violin provides melodic accompaniment, echoing and embellishing the vocal line to create a rich musical tapestry for the dancer.

Flute

Sri Ravishankar Srinivasa

The flute (venu) adds a soulful, ethereal quality to the orchestra, beautifully complementing the other instruments.

Event Details

Date & Time

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Doors open at 3:00 PM ET
Performance begins at 3:30 PM ET

Venue

Bridgewater Balaji Temple Auditorium

1 Balaji Temple Dr
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Get Directions →

Parking

Free Parking Available

Free parking in the temple parking lot. Additional overflow parking in the adjacent lot. Please follow signs to the auditorium entrance.

Dress Code

Traditional Indian Attire Encouraged

Sarees, salwar kameez, lehengas, sherwanis, or kurtas are warmly welcomed. Western formal or semi-formal attire is also welcome.

Nearby Hotels

Staying Overnight?

Marriott Bridgewater 700 Commons Way · 5 min drive
Hampton Inn Bridgewater 14 World's Fair Dr, Somerset · 8 min drive
Hyatt House Bridgewater 530 US-22, Bridgewater · 10 min drive

RSVP

Please let us know you're coming — we'd be honored to celebrate this milestone with you.

We look forward to celebrating with you on July 11, 2026!

Add to Your Calendar

Saturday, July 11, 2026

3:30 PM ET  ·  Bridgewater Balaji Temple Auditorium, NJ
Doors open at 3:00 PM ET

Includes reminders 1 week before, 1 day before, and 1 hour before the event.
Works with Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and any standard calendar app.