Bharata Natyam

As Bharatanatyam dancers of this century, we undergo training specific to a particular style but not often do we actually see the person from whom the style originated. I found a very interesting video from an online Russian digital film archive called Net-Film. It is titled “Morning in India” filmed in the year 1956. The commentary is in the Russian language. The film is “about the history of India and its struggle for independence”. In Reel 6 at 1:35, we see a Bharatanatyam performance by E V Saroja accompanied by Nattuvanar Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai (Vazhuvoorar) on the Nattuvangam. She dances to Natanam Adinar, a song that gained immense popularity during the revival period (1930s to 1950s). We find that most Bharatanatyam recitals at the Music Academy during this period showcased Natanam Adinar (Gaston, 2003). Although Vazhuvoorar appears in another documentary film titled “Bharata Natyam”, this one is probably the only video that shows him reciting mnemonic syllables, demonstrating eye, eyebrow movement