TRADITIONAL DANSUESE TRIO

TRADITIONAL DANSUESE TRIO

In the entire history of classical dance the traditional danseuse trio,

MADURANTHAKAM JAGADAMBAL AMMAL (1873 – 1943),

THIRUVAZHAPUTHUR KALYANI AMMAL (1873 – 1938)

AND

THANJAVUR VEENABASHINI AMMAL (1877 – 1962)

were revered as the greatest and most accomplished classical dancers on record. All the three were born in the late 19th Century in Tamilnadu.

Maduranthakam Jagadambal Ammal learnt this divine art from Vazhuvoor Samu Nattuvanar (Grandfather of Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai), Thiruvazhaputhur Kalyani Ammal from Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai and Thanjavur Veenabashini Ammal from Thanjavur Kannuswamy Nattuvanar. They enthralled the audience with their scintillating performances and showcased the glory of ancient Vazhuvoor, Pandanallur and Thanjavur baani of classical dance respectively.

They were recognized for executing the Nritta, Nritya and Abhinaya with utmost precision and received overwhelming appreciations in Mysore, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and other royal courts in south India.

The dark complexioned Maduranthakam Jagadambal Ammal had the patience and vigor to overcome all the insults and disrespects initially owing to her appearance and finally created history.

Once, when many dancers were present in his court, Raja Pandidurai Thevar, the then Zamindar of Palavanatham, enquired whether any one of them could dance to his ‘Chakravakam Jathiswaram’? Everyone except Kalyani Ammal expressed their inability since it would take at least a month’s practice to perform this item. Kalyani Ammal however learnt it on the same day and performed it before the Raja on the next day.

Veenabashini ammal was well versed in Telugu and entrancingly performed Kshetrayya’s padas to the delight of audience. She received overwhelming appreciations in all the samasthanams wherever she performed and received many royal gifts in recognition of her talents. ‘Kanakabishegam’ was performed on Veenabashini Ammal in the royal court of Raja of Mysore.

The first ever dance recital to be arranged by the Music Academy or any other institution of prestige in Madras was given by Rajalakshmi and Jeevarathnam the daughters of Thiruvazhaputhur Kalyani Ammal on 15th March 1931.

Vintage photograph of Maduranthakam Jagadambal Ammal is shared here for the benefit of readers.