Caring for salangai and practice sarees
How to store ghungroo so the bells stay bright and the cords hold, and how to wash practice sarees so they last.
Planning an arangetram: a realistic budget and timeline
From the first conversation to the final bow, what an arangetram takes and what it usually costs in Bengaluru.
An arangetram is a student’s first full solo recital, usually two to two and a half hours. We start planning eighteen months ahead, after an honest assessment of the student’s technique and stamina.
The first year is repertoire: learning and polishing seven or eight items, from alarippu to tillana. The last six months are rehearsals with the orchestra, costume fittings and stage practice in the hall itself.
In Bengaluru in 2026, families typically spend between ₹2,50,000 and ₹4,50,000. The largest costs are the orchestra (vocal, mridangam, violin or flute, and nattuvangam), the hall and two or three costumes. Jewellery can be rented. Our mentorship fee is separate and agreed in writing at the start.
Keep the invitation list to a size the hall can seat comfortably, and spend on a good sound engineer before spending on flowers. The audience will remember the dancing, not the decoration.
