Indian Classical Dance

🩰 The Ultimate Arangetram Planning Checklist – Month-by-Month Guide |By Shanthi Tailors, Mylapore

By : Siva Kumar
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📖 Introduction

An Arangetram is more than a performance — it is a spiritual, emotional, and artistic milestone in a dancer’s life. For over five decades, Shanthi Tailors has proudly stood with dancers and gurus across generations. We know firsthand how overwhelming planning can be. So here it is — your complete step-by-step Arangetram checklist, from one year before all the way to the final day.

We’ve organized everything — costumes, music, rituals, rehearsals, invitations, and even packing lists — to help you glide through this journey with confidence and grace.

 

🗓️ 1 Year Before – The Sankalpam Begins

 

  • Discuss the possibility of Arangetram with your Guru. Get blessings and permission.

  • Fix a tentative month or season for the event (exact date can come later).

  • Start planning the budget — include hall, orchestra, costumes, jewelry, make-up, printing, photography, catering, and rituals.

  • Begin strength training or stamina building – consult a physical therapist or start yoga.

  • Create a personal Arangetram folder or digital tracker (like NatyaPlan) to log everything.

 


🎯 This is when the spiritual seed is planted.

 

 

 

🗓️ 8–10 Months Before – Foundation Laying

 

  • Confirm your orchestra team (vocalist, nattuvanar, mridangam, violin, flute). Sign contracts.

  • Begin serious choreography for each item (Alarippu to Tillana).

  • Get an idea of your Chief Guest/Guest of Honour — reach out to them early.

  • Discuss venue options with your guru/family and shortlist.

  • Take reference photos of past Arangetrams for inspiration.

 


🧵 Shanthi Tip: This is when we often begin the saree weaving or pattern planning for your costume.

 

 

 

🗓️ 6 Months Before – Vision into Motion

 

  • Finalize your Arangetram item list (Margam) — track song names, ragam, talam, composer, and mood.

  • Record scratch versions of each item to send to your orchestra team.

  • Schedule regular practice sessions, including weekly reviews with guru.

  • Book your venue and make advance payments.

  • Start listing out costume ideas (Traditional, Dhoti-based, Skirt-style, Sunfleet, etc.).

 


🎨 This is when color trials and material selection begin at Shanthi Tailors. Also a good time to block jewelry sets.

 

 

 

🗓️ 3 Months Before – Time to Finalize

 

  • Order your Arangetram costumes and jewelry. We recommend trying mock trials and blouse fittings now.

  • Finalize invitation card design (digital/print).

  • Confirm videographer/photographer for the event.

  • Start working on program sheet content: bio, dance details, guest list.

  • Start recording weekly video rehearsals and track your progress.

  • Order Dance Accessories— Like NYRA soft bristle sets are ideal for both dancers and artists, Hair and other Accessories

 

 

 

 

🗓️ 1 Month Before – Crunch Time

 

  • Final rehearsal with full orchestra.

  • Perform padapuja or get blessings from guru, family, and elders.

  • Send out all digital invites and start RSVP tracking.

  • Finalize guest list headcount for catering and seating.

  • Print your program brochures, banners, backdrop if any.

 

💌 Tip: NatyaPlan offers a full RSVP tracker + printable checklists to help you stay calm.

 

 

 

🗓️ 3 Weeks Before – The Details

 

  • Double check costume fittings, make last-minute tweaks.

  • Finalize makeup artist or assign a trusted person.

  • Prepare standee banners, welcome boards, and photo booth elements.

  • Have a costume dry run — wear full outfit with jewelry and practice one major item.

 

 

 

 

🗓️ 1 Week Before – The Sacred Countdown

 

  • Confirm vendors: catering, videography, décor, makeup, light/sound.

  • Reconfirm orchestra arrival time and logistics.

  • Send final headcount to caterers.

  • Start packing: salangai, accessories, pins, safety kits, backups.


📦 Shanthi Packing Tip: We’ll give you a customized checklist based on your final costume and jewelry order — so nothing gets missed.

 

 

 

🗓️ 2 Days Before – Calm Before the Stage

 

  • Pack felicitation trays, return gifts, envelopes, flowers

  • Have 2 helpers pre-assigned for backstage

  • Deliver costumes, makeup, and jewelry to the co-ordinator who brings to venue green room

  • Charge devices, prep batteries, and cameras

 

 

 

 

🗓️ On the Day – The Arangetram

  • Arrive at the venue 3–4 hours early

  • Do basic warmups and meditation

  • Get dressed calmly with full support

  • Hand over the printed program sheet to MC

  • Perform with heart, not pressure

  • Bow with grace — you did it 💫

 

 

🎥 Bonus Tip – Record Your Journey

We now offer a digital Natya Diary + Vlog system through NatyaPlan. Dancers can upload daily practice videos, write notes, record messages to their future self, and even generate highlight reels!

This becomes a forever memory you’ll cherish long after the applause fades.

 

 

 

🙏 From All of Us at Shanthi Tailors

Every Arangetram is sacred. We feel blessed to be a small part of your big day — whether it’s weaving your custom saree, crafting your perfect Jewellery, or sending that final jewelry piece overseas at the last minute.

We’re here. Always.

📞 Call us: +91 90033 26517

📍 Visit: Shanthi Tailors, 5 Kapaleeswar Sannathi Street, Mylapore, Chennai

🌐 Website: www.shanthitailor.com

📩 Instagram: @shanthitailorsindia

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