Bharatanatyam by Padma Shri Shanta Rao

As a part of Vaak issue 04 we present a compiled video with 2 separate performances by Padma Shri Shanta Rao. Shanta went to Pandanallur to learn Bharatanatyam ended up at the doorsteps of the popular teacher, Guru Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, who noted that since she had learnt Kathakali first, teaching her was difficult as her motions were manly and actions dramatic. However, when her debut took place in 1943 at the Madras Museum Theatre, Egmore, she got rave reviews. (https://www.sahapedia.org/shanta-rao). Below is a quote from Shanta Rao on her Guru Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai: "When I speak of my dance, my mind is at thrill with the thoughts of my gurus who made me what I am. They have been the greatest masters of traditions this century has known and acclaimed as such because of the vast store of knowledge they received from their forefathers. What is more, each one of them were a trained dancer before they took to teaching. No wonder they were rigorous in training their pupils and the grounding I received at their feet remains as one of the greatest of experiences I have had and the most unique. Naturally there would be rare items in my repertoire. In each of the 4 styles of dancing I am proud to present. When I proposed presenting thana varnam for the first time, my guru pandanallur Meenakshisundaram pillai announced to the critical dance world “Shanta will present for the first time Thana Varnam which I have not taught anyone for over 50 years” and I did" 00:00 - Introduction by Yehudi Menuhin 04:31 - Alarippu 07:52 - Natanam Adinar - Vasantha - Ata Thalam - Gopalakrishna Bharathi Instagram:   / vaak_me   YouTube:    / @vaak_foundation   Facebook:   / vaak.me   Twitter:   / vaak_me   Vaak magazine: https://issuu.com/carnaticmusic