Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiyah Pillai

Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiyah Pillai (1910 - 1991) was a famous Bharathanatyam teacher from Tamil Nadu. He was popularly referred to as Vazhuvoorar.

Vazhuvoor Ramaiyah Pillai was born in 1910 to Parthiban and Bagyathammal in Vazhuvoor. He learned the arts of Nattuvangam and Bharatanatyam from his maternal uncle Maanikka Nattuvanar.

He was appreciated for introducing innovative trials in Bharatanatyam. He carried the mantle of traditional and most ancient vazhuvoor bani from his ancestors, dating to the days of the Cholas dynasty. He popularized this bani around the globe. If Rukmani Devi Arundale institutionalized Bharatanatyam, Vazhuvooraar popularized, it especially through his star disciple Kamala. He implemented Rama Natak Kiruti, Tyagaraya Swami Kiruti, Bharathiyar songs, Kutralak Kuravanji, Arunachala Kavi songs, and Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi songs in Baratanatyam through his instructions. During the time that the British had banned Bharathiyar's songs, Vazhuvoor made these songs performed by his students in stage plays, thereby encouraging the support of Indian Independence.

His family members consist of his wife Gnanasouniram (late); his eldest daughter Jayalakshmi (late); his eldest son Natya Kala Samrat Samraj (late), who was a renowned dance master himself; his second son Manoharan (late); his third son Gurunathan (late); his second daughter Bagyalashmi , who is also equally knowledgeable in classical dance; and his last son Manikka Vinayagam, a popular singer in movies.

The following are the awards received by Vazhuvoorar:

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