Sun Feb 02 10:36:23 UTC 2025: **Russian Ballet Troupe Dances to Ilaiyaraaja’s Music in Chennai**
CHENNAI, February 2, 2025 – A Russian ballet troupe from the Orchid youth dance studio in Rostov-on-Don captivated renowned Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja with their performance of two of his songs. The dancers, choreographed by Galena and Orsana, performed “Oh Butterfly Butterfly” from the film *Meera* and “Poove Sempoove” from *Sollathudikkuthu Manasu*.
The troupe, touring Tamil Nadu from January 17th to February 3rd, chose the songs specifically for their melodic richness and spiritual quality, according to the choreographers. They presented the dances as a thematic interpretation of a lovers’ meeting scene from a Tamil film. Impressed by the performance, Ilaiyaraaja interacted with the dancers throughout their visit to his studio. He later presented gifts to each member of the troupe.
P. Thangappan, secretary-general of the Indo-Russian Cultural and Friendship Society, facilitated the collaboration, suggesting Ilaiyaraaja’s music would be well-suited to a Western dance style. Alexander Dedonov, Vice-Consul and head of the Russian House in Chennai, noted the musicality of the Tamil language. The troupe plans to record their performances and share them with Ilaiyaraaja.
First Piper 