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Describing her arrival into Sholapur for a performance,
Ragini Devi said: “My tonga led the procession, the bells on the horses
jingling merrily. On the way we passed a brass band escorting a huge
sign fixed on a bullock cart announcing the dance performance of Ragini
Devi, world famous dancer. People stopped to stare at our cavalcade of
musicians with red fezes, turbans, and musical instruments, and the
baggage carts in charge of the Pathan, in his turban and pajamas. It was
like a circus coming to town!” (‘Dancing in the family’ by Sukanya Rahman) |
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The high profile guru of Mylapore was Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. He was a
star among nattuvanars and looked and acted his part to perfection. He
taught many students, the foremost being Kumari Kamala. One would see
him attired in the zari dhoti, angavastram, silk kurta, diamond kadukkan
ear-rings, gold chains with talismans, his forehead smeared with
vibhuti and highlighted by an oval shaped kumkum mark. He commanded not
only much respect in Madras, but also an impressive fee for his
expertise. (‘That magnificent migration’ by Lakshmi Vishwanathan, The Hindu Friday Review, Aug 21, 2014) |
