Dancer Master Kala in Rahmania Show I started dancing from the age of 12. I started with Bharatanatyam. My brother -in-law was Raghu Master who was my Guru. It was him through which I entered film Industry. I used to force him and go for shooting.
My first movie was Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal with Balachander Sir. He liked my naughtyness and introduced me into film industry. ROJA Experiences I can never forget the experience for this lifetime. When I was in my school days, there was a movie of Kamalhassan and Sridevi titled " Varumai Niram Sigappu" (வறுமை நிறம் சிகப்பு) which was remade in Hindi. When I was supposed to start working for it, I met up with an accident. So, Kulu Manali was a place which I wont go usually. So Balachander Sir told me that Maniratnam was directing this movie, and the song has come out very well. I met Maniratnam Sir initially for the first time in Balachander Sir's Office. At that time, everyone was telling that a fresh and new Music Director had composed the song , and I liked the song so much upon hearing it. I travelled to Kulu Manali just for this song's sake. This was an unforgettable experience not only for me, but for Maniratnam Sir also. It was a very cold place, and about 40 dancers had come during that time. There would have been a shot, when some dancers would be walking in that song. At that time, one of the girls faced an experience where her breathing literally stopped. The Military Officers at that time came and said that the girl must be admitted to the Hospital Immediately, and Maniratnam Sir was literally crying. He was so tensed and was worried to face the consequences. The song had come out well, and he wanted to picturise it well. He would take us at 3 AM to the Shooting Spot. We all would find it very tough to manage, but the end result of all the difficulty has been great for us. It is Maniratnam Sir, who picturises A.R.Rahman's songs perfectly. Even Balachander Sir too. When I was working on Duet, I have unforgettable incidents. Pudhu Vellai Mazhai can never be forgotten, as it was shot at 3 AM , and Aravindsamy ( who is a well to do person) was shivering in chillness. Madhubala was already sick. Actually Maniratnam Sir wont talk during the shoots ( outside) , but he would take extra care about each and every dance sequences also. I knew Santosh Sivan Sir very well. I have done a lot of Malayalam Movies of his. Santosh Sivan and Maniratnam used to discuss before, and they would come up to me and detail me. Maniratnam never used to have any block between his unit and himself, and would explain clearly as to what he expected. he is a very sweet person. He would ask if some movements which he desired could be kept and if that would suit it well ?. I got a Pepsi Award for that song ( Pudhu Vellai Mazhai ) . At that time, Pepsi Awards were great awards. While I was working for some programme for banyan organisation, and was working on Rahman Sir's Vandemataram, I got a call from my brother-in-law who told that I had got an National Award. So, I just cant forget the timing of the good news, was when I was working for Vandemataram. I got the name when I was working for that song. ( MORE TO FOLLOW) -- regards, Vithur
