As I wrote in my “How South Indian Films Stole My Heart” post, classical dance was what drew me into South Indian films and continues to endlessly fascinate me with its beauty. My video below features clips from some of my absolute favorite classical dances in Indian cinema (most post-1960s). As a bonus, many of the films are entirely about classical dance too! In the video I focused on South Indian dance forms; most of the clips are clearly inspired from classical Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Mohiniattam, Manipuri, Kathak, and Kathakali dances, though they are film dances of course and not pure classical performances. I love them just the same! Movie and song sources are listed below. Big shoutout to Ramesh who gave me encouragement and song/video ideas!
Enjoy my little labor of love! (Note: Yes, the aspect ratio is goofed up per my limited video editing skills of the time)
Clips are from the following films/songs ordered by dancer:
Bhanupriya
- Gopura Vasalile (Tamil, 1991) – “Naadham Ezhundhathadi”
- Swarna Kamalam (Telugu, 1988) – “Andela Ravamidhi,” “Shiva Poojaku"
Kamal Hassan and/or Manju Bhargavi
- Salangai Oli (Tamil, 1983) – “Nadha Vinodhangal,” “Bala Kanakama”
- Shankarabharanam (Telugu, 1979) – “Raagam Thanam Pallavi”
Shobana
- Manichitrathazhu (Malayalam, 1993) – “Oru Murai Vanthu”
- Dance Like A Man (English, 2003) – “Ghungroo,” “The Dance of Joy Thillana”
- Rudraveena (Telugu, 1988) – “Lalitha Priya”
Vineeth (and/or Jyothika, Kavya Mahadevan, Vidya Balan)
- Chandramukhi (Tamil, 2005) – “Raa Raa”
- Mazhavillu (Malayalam, 1999) – “Sivadham”
- Banaras (Malayalam, 2009) – “Madhuram Gayagi Meera”
- Bhool Bulaiyaa (Hindi, 2007) - “Aami Je Tomar”
Sridevi
- Jaag Utha Insaan (Hindi, 1984) – “Tarpat Beete Din,” Temple dance scene
Padmini
- Journey Beyond Three Seas (Russian, 1958)
Hema Malini
- Abhinetri (Hindi, 1970) – Intro credits song
Vyjayanthimala
- Prince (Hindi, 1969) – “Muqabala Humse Naa Karo”
Revathy
- Devasuram (Malayalam, 1993) – “Angopaangom,” “Medaponnu”
Lesser knowns/unknowns
- Ananda Bhairavi (Telugu, 1984) – “Koluvaitiva Rangasai”
- Sringaram (Tamil, 2006)
- Aditya 369 (Telugu, 1991) – “Suramodamu”
- Enakkul Oruvan (Tamil, 1984) – “Ther Kondu Sendravan”
- Saptapadi (Telugu, 1980) – “Nemalli Ki Nerpina,” Tandav dance scene
- Tik Tik Tik (Tamil, 1981) – “Poo Malarndhida”
- Pavithram (Malayalam, 1994) – Mohiniattam scene
- Pournami (Telugu, 2006) – “Bharatha Vedamuga,” Charme’s dance practice scene
Songs used for the remix
Kinara (Hindi, 1977) – “Meethe Bol Bole”
Enakkul Oruvan (Tamil, 1984) – “Ther Kondu Sendravan”
Mehbooba (Hindi, 1976) – “Gori Tori Paijaniya”
Uzhaikkum Karangal (Tamil, 1976) –“Aadiya Padhangal Ambalathil”
Chandni (Hindi, 1989) – “Instrumental”
Films I contemplated using clips from but did not in the final version are: Vanjikottai Valiban, New Delhi, Amrapali, Uliyin Osai Poo Magaloorvalam, Yamadonga, Sur Sangam, Vanaprastham, Megha Sandesham, Autograph, Devdas, Nache Mayuri, Sithara, Maro Charitra (Kamal Hassan).
Last, thanks to these groovy software programs: Vegas Movie Studio HD, Audacity, Handbrake.
