Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiyah Pillai

Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai (1910–1991) was an Indian Bharatanatyam dance teacher and choreographer.

Early life Vazhuvoor Bagyathammal Ramaiah 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.

Career He introduced innovative trials in Bharatanatyam. He advocated traditional vazhuvoor bani from his ancestors, dating to the days of the Chola dynasty. He popularized this bani around the globe, 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 through his teaching. 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.

Family He married Gnanasoundiram (late). They had six children: daughter Jayalakshmi (late); son Natya Kala Samrat Vazhuvoor Samraj (late, a renowned dance master); son Manoharan (late); son Vazhuvoor.R.Gurunathan (late, banker/financial advisor); daughter Bagyalashmi (knowledgeable in classical dance); son Manikka Vinayagam (popular movie singer), in order of birth.

Notable students Vyjayanthimala Lalitha-Padmini-Ragini Kumari Kamala Kumari Rhadha Radha Viswanathan E. V. Saroja K. J. Sarasa Rajasulochana Rita Hemamalini Arni Padma Subrahmanyam Kanaka Srinivasan Chitra Visweswaran M. Bhanumathi Amala Shankar Padmini Ramachandran Raghuram Sundaram, Sunitha (Kodaimazha vidya)

Awards The following are the awards received by Vazhuvoorar: Isai Perarignar, 1961; given by Tamil Isai Sangam at Chennai Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1966 Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 1979 Padmasri Kalaimamani Naatya Kala Kesari