In Tamil Arangam means a stage and etram means rising or climbing, thus Arangetram literally means ascending the stage or reaching the stage of achievement. After undertaking years of training with a Guru(teacher), a classical art student gives a public graduation performance of the art form. The dancer performs a specific sequence of dances known as margam, a Bharatanatyam repertoire, intended to showcase his art. Marking the completion of the initial training of a student, it signifies the dancer’s maiden performance blossoming his talent and knowledge of the Bharata Natyam dance form. An Arangetram is an old tradition, which marks the pathway for a dancer to then perform alone or be able to give training to other dancers. On this auspicious occasion the artist seeks blessings from the audience, connoisseurs of the fine arts, his guru and Lord Nataraj.