Tanjore’s Brihadeshwara temple turns 1,000

Renowned classical danseuse Padma Subramaniam choreographed and led a troupe of 1,000 Bharatanatyam dancers to perform on the occasion of Brihadeshwara Temple completing a millennium on Saturday night. The Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as the big temple, was built by Raja Raja Chola in Tanjore.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, who was the event’s chief guest, also released author R Nagasamy’s book titled, Epigraphical Record of Raja Raja on Dance and Dancing Girls.
Speaking at the occasion, Karunanidhi expressed gratitude to danseuse Padma Subramaniam. “When she [Padma Subramaniam] proposed to have this programme with 1,000 dancers taking stage, I wondered how she would choreograph it,” he said.

“She explained she would send CDs to each of the dancers to fall in tune with her line of thought. I don’t know if she sent the CDs, but when I sent my CIDs [secret service agents], I was told that the preparations were going on smoothly,” he said, adding, “I will, in fact, not call it her troupe, but her army of dancers. Her commitment to this programme shows her deep-rooted involvement in the classical dance form.”