80th Birthday of Swamimalai K Rajarathnam Pillai on 3.7.2011

[jayakamala]

Doyen among natyacharyas, Swamimalai S K Rajarathnam was known for his brisk jathis with crisp variations, for both singing and conducting the nattuvangam with amazing clarity. Guru S K Rajarathnam Pillai has been looked up to by the dancing community, and his numerous students are scattered all over the world.A child prodigy ,for a few years ,he sang on the stage as a child artist in NSK's troupe.When he had bad patch when his voice broke,the other noted comedianof the Tamil screen ,sarangapani,took the boy to thebharathanatyam stalwart,Vazhoor Ramaiyya. Pillai. Rajarathnam did his gurukulavasam there and learnt the intricacies of Bhrathanatyam
Conferred with the titles of Kalaimamani, Natya Selvam and Sangeetha Kala Sikamani, he was an acclaimed teacher of his times, propagating the Vazhuvoor style of Bharatanatyam. He was not only known for his talent, but also for his humble and friendly nature. This helped him share a wonderful relationship with his students and his colleagues.
It has been 16 years since he passed away, but his golden voice and his contributions in the field of Bharatanatyam are still remembered

His 80th Birthday is on 3.7.2011 . and We are celebrating with participation of his NRI Students in Jan 2011 at Naradha Gana Sabha Main Hall. The curtain raiser is on 3 .7.2011at Hotel Sabari Inn T P Road, T. Nagar, bet 4 and 6 p.m. Ideas for a grand celeberation in Jan are welcome.

[rshankar]

Smt. Jayakamala, best wishes for the celebrations!
Please consider videotaping the proceedings, especially the tribute performances and making them available commercially.

[jayakamala]

The coverage in "The Hindu " on 3rd July event. can be read thro this link.....
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/article2207635.ece

[rshankar]

Thank you so much for sharing! It seems to have been a very poignant function. There is a quote in there that talks about how Sri SKR used different movemnets/aDavus to suit each dancer - I do believe that people like him were well versed in the kinesiology of body movements/aDavus (and adapting them to a particular dancer) decades before it was really recognized as a science.

[aatma]

Hi All,
Its being really happy to know that 3.7.2011 is the 80th Birthday of Swamimalai K Rajarathnam Pillai. If you could please let us know about his own choreographies & compositions.......