Beautiful colors, coordinated movements, melodious sounds and an unswerving team spirit were the back bone of the collaborative Bharathanatyam performance 'Bharatham Amudham' at the Kaplan Theater, Jewish Community Center on February16, 2008..

This was the first known collaborative performance in Houston between two established dance schools. This performance by Padmini Chari of Nrithya School of dance and Indrani Parthasarathy of Abhinaya School of Performing Arts along with their senior students was brought to the Houstonians by the Bharathi Kalai Manram of Houston and partly funded by the Cultural Arts Council of Harris County, Houston.

The program began with an energetic Ananda Narthana Ganapathy a prayer to Lord Ganesha by Indrani, Seetha and Anupama followed by a crisp rhythmic piece Nandi Chol by Padmini, Nadi, Asha, Akila and Nisha.

Nrithya Swaravali by Avany and Seetha followed.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Nrithyopaharam 'Ninne neranammi naanura.' Performed by Padmini and Indrani along with their students Nadi, Asha, Anupama and Archana, this item held the audience spellbound with neat teermanams and storytelling.

Indrani and Padmini displayed their abilities during their depiction of the various stories of Krishnavatharam.

The packed audience that braved the bad weather applauded the effort by the dancers.

The post varnam session began with a dance called Cauvery presented by younger students Neeraja, Maya, Sita, Karthika, Priyanka and Anamika. Yen Palli Kondirayya was performed by seasoned performers Asha and Nadi.

The matured solo presentations of Parashakti and Skanda by Indrani and Padmini respectively brought out their understanding and appreciation of the classical art.