Vazhuvoor V.B.Ramiah Pillai was a Bharatanatyam teacher par excellence with Midas touch, his disciple and renowned danseuse Padma Subrahmanyam observed here on Sunday.
Accepting the Vazhuvoorar Award conferred on her by the Shree Vazhuvoorar Classical Bharathanatyam Arts Academy on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the illustrious nattuvangam exponent, she said he never used to threaten or scold his disciples. A totally devoted teacher who was very affectionate towards the students, he used to inspire them. “By admiring him, we learnt at his feet”, she added.
She pointed out that almost every top-notch Bharatanatyam dancer of the country during his period had come from his school. While being traditional, he extended to the rasikas what was appropriate during his era with his unique embellishment.
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She said that in the Vazhuvoor style, it would be possible even to dance for nine hours. She advised the younger generation to watch their seniors perform as it was the best way to learn.
She declared open the three-day 32 Vazhuvoorar Dance and Music Festival at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan.
R.Krishnaswamy, president, Sabha Fraternity, presenting the award, lauded Ramiah Pillai as one among the handful in the country who brought “esteem” to Bharatanatyam. He was one teacher who could attract crowds for his nattuvangam alone.
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R.Nataraj, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, observed that Ramiah Pillai was to dance as much as Ariyakudi Ramanujam Iyengar was to Carnatic music by creating a format of his own.
The softness in the facial expressions of the Vazhuvoor style was unique, he added.