Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai

Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai
Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai
Born	Bagyathammal Ramaiah Pillai; 1910; Vazhuvoor, Tamil Nadu, India
Died	1991 (aged 80–81)
Occupation	Bharathanatyam choreographer
Spouse	Gnanasoundiram
Children	6, including Manikka Vinayagam

Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai (1910–1991) was an Indian Bharatanatyam dance teacher and choreographer.

Early life

Vazhuvoor Bagyathammal Ramaiah Pillai was born in 1910 to Parthiban and Bagyathammal in Vazhuvoor. He learned the arts of Nattuvangam and Bharatanatyam from his maternal uncle Maanikka Nattuvanar.

Career

He introduced innovative trials in Bharatanatyam. He advocated traditional vazhuvoor bani from his ancestors, dating to the days of the Chola dynasty. He popularized this bani around the globe, especially through his star disciple Kamala. He implemented Rama Natak Kiruti, Tyagaraya Swami Kiruti, Bharathiyar songs, Kutralak Kuravanji, Arunachala Kavi songs, and Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi songs through his teaching. During the time that the British had banned Bharathiyar's songs, Vazhuvoor made these songs performed by his students in stage plays, thereby encouraging the support of Indian Independence.

Family

He married Gnanasoundiram (late). They had six children: daughter Jayalakshmi (late); son Natya Kala Samrat Vazhuvoor Samraj (late, a renowned dance master); son Manoharan (late); son Vazhuvoor.R.Gurunathan (late, banker/financial advisor); daughter Bagyalashmi (knowledgeable in classical dance); son Manikka Vinayagam (popular movie singer), in order of birth.

Notable students

Awards

The following are the awards received by Vazhuvoorar:

Isai Perarignar, 1961;^[1] given by Tamil Isai Sangam at Chennai
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1966^[2]
Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 1979
Padmasri
Kalaimamani
Naatya Kala Kesari

References

^ List announced by the authentic website of Tamil Isai Sangam
^ "SNA Awardees List". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.

Sources

[1] List announced by the authentic website of Tamil Isai Sangam

[2] "SNA Awardees List". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.

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