The Simhanandini was originally part of what is called the Aalaya Sampradaya, or temple traditions.
It was brought into Kuchipudi, supposedly by renowned Guru CR Acharya. #Thread https://twitter.com/VertigoWarrior/status/1244843188663148545

CR Acharya made it his life's mission to collect, catalogue and capture for posterity the rare and quickly disappearing dance compositions practised by the Devadasis in Andhra. #Simhanandini

His travels in remote villages in West Godavari brought him in contact with the Simhanandini and other dance forms that were distinct to temple traditions. He adopted and adapted them to the Kuchipudi form.

A book he co-authored with Mallika Sarabhai.

Let's put into perspective what the Simhanandini is. A Nattuvanar is standing by the side calling out rhythmic notations. The dancer has to stick to the rhythms, hold Mudras and Abhinayams, all the while ensuring that his/her movements are contributing to drawing out a Lion

But a lion isn't all that the dancers could do. Along with the Simhanandini, they could also do a Mayurakautvam (Peacock) and a Lotus. A performance by Voleti Rangamani (CR Acharya's daughter) capturing all 3.

And now, for the inevitable pop culture reference. Probably around the same time CR Acharya was understanding and adapting Simhanandini to Kuchipudi, the dance form featured in a Tamil movie.

The 1960 movie Mannadhi Mannan (King of Kings), loaded with political messaging from the word "go", had a dance competition between world-renowned dancer Chitra (played by Padmini) and the local prince Manivannan (played by the legendary MGR).

What is the competition? To draw a lion on the floor, while dancing. Each competitor is entitled to one half of the stage and performs at the same time as the other. Here's a video clip from the point the lion begins to be drawn.

Of course, Padmini of the famous Travancore sisters, was a trained classical dancer. Of course, MGR couldn't dance one bit.

But of course, Padmini stumbles during the competition and MGR successfully completes the lion.

Hey, that's cinema!

A weak, historically inaccurate plot with pacy screenplay and some wonderful, memorable songs, featuring the biggest names of Tamil cinema.

Of course, the movie was a runaway hit! It was shifted out of theaters, only to accommodate MGR's subsequent releases.

In addition to the Simhanandini, part of the plot of the movie was also lifted from the story of Attanathi-Athimanthi from Sangam literature, where Kaveri in her flood takes away MGR.

Sometimes, when I think about the Simhanandini and similar traditions we have managed to rescue from Time, I wonder about those we have lost, perhaps forever.

I'll close with a soothing melody that speaks of pain of separation from Mannadhi Mannan.

@threadreaderapp Please compile.