Sayee–Subbulakshmi

Sayee and Subbulakshmi, popularly known as Sayee–Subbulakshmi, were two Indian female Bharatanatyam dancers who performed on stage in South Indian and Hindi films. They were a twin dance duo and were popular during the 1950s and 60s.[1] They were noted for their synchronised dancing. They also performed Kathak and folk style dances in some regional language films and Hindi films.

Sayee and Subbulakshmi as they appear in Naya Sansar (1959), Hindi film

Family

They hail from a very large family whose members are well connected to the film industry. They are the descendants of Panrutti Adilakshmi, mother of Carnatic singers P. A. Rajamani and P. A. Periyanayaki, who were popularly known as the Madras Sisters (Not to be confused with the Madras Sisters (Sashi, Kala, and Mala). They had also featured in Tamil films in various roles. P. A. Periyanayaki was also known as a playback singer. Lux soap beauty R. Padma, who featured in the 1941 comedy film Sabapathy is the mother-in-law of Sayee. Sayee is the daughter of P.A.Rajamani and Subbulakshmi is P.A.Rajamani's maternal first cousin.

(Note: Sayee is said to be the daughter of P. A. Rajamani and Subbulakshmi, who is 3 years older to Sayee, is her cousin. This could not be confirmed. However, both of them are closely related and belong to the same extended family.)

Dance training

Sayee (L) Guru Muthuswami Pillai, Subbulakshmi

Muthuswamy Pillai is a dance teacher[2] who has choreographed dances for films since 1938. P. A. Periyanayaki approached Muthuswami Pillai when he was choreographing a dance for B. S. Saroja in the film Inbavalli at Salem Ratna Studios. She requested him to train her niece Sayee and her cousin Subbulakshmi in dancing. Muthuswami Pillai accepted. He stayed with the family so that he could give exclusive training to the two. Sayee was about 5 years old at that time and Subbulakshmi was 3 years older. He made both watch dance performances by Kumari Kamala.

The two girls had a rigorous training - 3 hours in the morning and another 3 or 4 hours in the evening. Muthusami Pillai trained them for 7 years in between his film assignments. He took classes whenever he was in town.

Sayee and Subbulakshmi were trained in Kathak dance by Gopi Krishna, who was a dancer and the choreographer for the famed Hindi film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.

Arangetram and Introduction to films

Sayee and Subbulakshmi had their Arangetram on 14 September 1953 at R. R. Sabha Hall in Chennai presided over by Rajah Sir M. A. Muthaiah Chettiar.

Within a year they had their first performance in the 1954 film Malaikkallan. The film was produced in 6 languages that opened opportunities far and wide for this dancing duo.

Apart from dancing, they have also featured in minor roles in some of the films they danced in.

Since 1954, they have performed in many South Indian regional films and Hindi films.

Bharatanatyam performances

They held stage performances as well. When Sivaji Ganesan built a new house Annai Illam at Thiyagaraya Nagar in Chennai, the Bharatanatyam performance by Sayee and Subbulakshmi was the main item during reception.

Style of dancing

murumandi (half-seated) position in dance from the film Malaikkallan

The duo were felicitated by N. S. Krishnan as Pambara Sahodarigal (Spinning top sisters). The speed, precision, flexibility, springing leg movements coupled with the synchronisation made them a unique pair.

Dance Teacher

After the 1960s, the trend in Indian films underwent a radical change and the type of dances performed by this duo went unnoticed. Subbulakshmi taught Bharatanatyam to students. She was felicitated with the Kalaimamani award in 2000 for her services as a teacher.

Personal life

Sayee was married to V. S. Santaram, eldest son of Lux beauty R. Padma. They have a son. Sayee suffered from breast cancer and died on 26 January 2010.

Filmography

YearFilmLanguageSongChoreographerMusic DirectorSinger/s
1954MalaikkallanTamil"Neeli Magan Nee Allava"
"O Amma O Ayya"
Muthuswami PillaiS. M. Subbaiah NaiduP. A. Periyanayaki
1954Aggi RamuduTelugu"Rara Yasoda Nandana"
"Paalaveroy"
Muthuswami PillaiS. M. Subbaiah NaiduP. A. Periyanayaki
1954Ratha KanneerTamil"Kathavai Saathadi"Muthuswami PillaiC. S. JayaramanM. L. Vasanthakumari
1955AzaadHindi"Aplam Chaplam"
"O Balliye Balliye"
HiralalC. RamachandraLata Mangeshkar & Usha Mangeshkar
1955Doctor SavithriTamil"Naayagar Padshamadi"Muthuswami PillaiG. RamanathanP. A. Periyanayaki & A. P. Komala
1955Gomathiyin KaadhalanTamil"Sirpa Kalai Vizhaavin Arpudhangalukkellaam"Sohanlal
K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai
G. RamanathanP. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela, Radha Jayalakshmi & T. V. Rathinam
1956Alibabavum 40 ThirudargalumTamil"Naama Aaduvadhum Paaduvadhum"K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai & A. K. ChopraS. DakshinamurthySwarnalatha & K. Jamuna Rani
1956Chori ChoriHindi"Man Bhawan Ke Ghar"K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai & Gopi KrishnaShankar JaikishanLata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle
1956Thaikkupin TharamTamil"Naadu Sezhithida"T. C. ThangarajK. V. MahadevanM. L. Vasanthakumari
1957KarpukkarasiTamil"Vizhiyodu Vilaiyaadum"P. S. GopalakrishnanG. RamanathanM. L. Vasanthakumari & P. Leela
1957Makkalai Petra MagarasiTamil"Malliyakka Malliyakka Engadi Pora"Hiralal & P. V. BalaramK. V. MahadevanJikki, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala
1957SharadaHindi"Joru Ka Ghulam"Hiralal & SathyanarayanaC. RamachandraAsha Bhosle & Shamshad Begum
1958Mangalya BhagyamTamil"Nenjathile Achcham"Chinni-SampathG. RamanathanM. L. Vasanthakumari & P. Leela
1958Periya KovilTamil"Aathaadi Thallaadha Thaathaavai"P. S. GopalakrishnanK. V. MahadevanK. Jamuna Rani & L. R. Eswari
1959Kan ThiranthathuTamil"Panam Kaasu Padaichaale"Muthusamy Pillai
Jayaraman
T. R. RajagopalanP. Susheela & S. Janaki
1959Orey VazhiTamil"Kalvi Kalvi Endru Paadu"K. N. Dandayudhapani PillaiR. GovardhanamM. L. Vasanthakumari & P. Leela
1959President PanchatcharamTamil"Oli Padaitha Kanninaayi"Muthuswami PillaiG. RamanathanM. L. Vasanthakumari & (Radha) Jayalakshmi
1959Sivagangai SeemaiTamil"Muthu Pugazh Padaitthu"K. N. Dandayudhapani PillaiViswanathan-RamamoorthyS. Varalakshmi & (Radha) Jayalakshmi
1961Sati SulochanaTelugu"Jai Jai Jai Meghanaadhaa"Vempati Chinna SatyamT. V. RajuK. Jamuna Rani & S. Janaki
1963ArivaaliTamil"Vaazhiya Needoozhi"P. S. GopalakrishnanS. V. Venkatraman(Radha) Jayalakshmi & P. Leela
1963BharosaHindi"Dhadka Ho Dil Dhadka Guzra Gali Se"Gopi KrishnaRaviLata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle
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References

  1. "Vintage Heritage Club to pay tributes to four legendary dancers". Times of India. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  2. "Thirai Nadanam -Kaala Chulatchiyil Nadana Kalai" [Art of Dancing in changing times]. tamil.thehindu.com (in Tamil). 27 January 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

Bibliography

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