Fascinated by India’s culture, traditions and dance forms, French dancer Annick Chaymotti came to this country in the early 1970s, learned Bharatanatyam and acted in a Telugu movie titled America Ammayi (1976) directed by veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, and produced by N Krishnam Raju of Navata Arts. Chaymotti changed her name to Devayani and later made New Delhi her home.
There are a couple of popular songs in the movie, but Singeetham Srinivasa Rao is excited to narrate about the song Aananda taandavamaade … as “there is an interesting backdrop to its filming.”
In his own words: “Originally we planned to picturise this classical song at an auditorium in Madras (now Chennai) as Neena’s (played by Devayani) ‘arangetram,’ her first public dance performance. However, we had to change the venue to the famed Nataraja temple in Chidambaram at the suggestion of the heroine. Imagine a French national, who arrived in India to learn its dance forms, its culture and traditions, coming up with the suggestion to film the ‘arangetram’ at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, which she felt was an apt choice, whereas we were planning to film it as a stage performance. I discussed it with the producer, modified the script slightly and changed the location to Chidambaram.”
To suit to the changed location, C Narayana Reddy wrote a fresh lyric praising the presiding deity, Lord Siva, well-known for his celestial dance, the Taandava nruthyam . G K Venkatesh, assisted by two people — later day legends L Vaidyanathan and Ilayaraja — composed a tune for the song, rendered soulfully by P Susheela.
The song
Aananda taandavamaade – Sivudu anantha layudu- Chidambara nilayudu / Aananda… / Nagaraaja sutha – Chirunagavulu chilukanga / Sigalona ogaloliki – Yegiri yegiri dookanga suraganga / Ananda…
Pranava naadam praanam kaagaa / Prakruthimoolam taanam kaagaa/ Bhuvannammule rangabhumikalu kaagaa / Bhujanga bhushanudu – Ananga bheeshanudu / Parama vibhudu – Garala dharudu / Bhaava raga taala mayudu sadayudu / Ananda…
As Balu Mahendra’s camera takes us to various places inside the temple precincts, the song and dance progress further ending with the lines
Virinchi taalamu veyagaa – Hari murajanu mroyimpaga / Pramadulaadagaa apsaralu paadagaa aadagaa-paadagaa / Ananda….
The scene
Mohan (played by Sridhar) marries an American woman Neena (Annic Chaymotti alias Devayani). Neena, a trained classical dancer, imbibes Indian culture and traditions. Along with her husband, she visits Chidambaram, watches with awe the sculptures in various dance poses in the Nataraja temple and imagines herself performing her dance ‘arangetram’ there.
“While we were discussing who would be best suited to choreograph the song, Vempati China Satyam’s name came to my mind. He was a good friend of mine but had stopped choreographing for films after he founded the Kuchipudi Arts Academy. Still we met him and, after going through the script, he not only agreed to compose the dance for the song but also trained Devayani. Bala and Sobha Naidu, the later day icons in the field, assisted him,” recalls the ace filmmaker.
After taking permission from the authorities concerned, the song was shot for five days at the Chidambaram temple during the summer months. “It was so hot and the stone flooring inside the temple was literally burning and we had to walk barefoot. To beat the heat, two towels were given to each of the unit members, including the chief technicians. We placed on the floor one towel after the other and stepped on it to reach the shooting spot. However, Devayani refused to take the towels and walked barefoot, braving the heat, on all the five days. The song came out well. It was Devayani who inspired me to make the changes in the script and the location,” concludes Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
Making New Delhi her home, Devayani has given many dance performances in India and abroad. She was the first French national to be honoured with a ‘Padma Shri’ by the Government of India for promoting arts.
Note: In the film’s title cards the heroine’s name is wrongly credited as Anna Koria/ Devayani. Her name is Annick Chaymotti alias Devayani.
