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Vazhuvoor (or Vizhuvur) is one of the original styles of Bharatanatyam, a major form of Indian classical dance.
The main distinctive features include:
- rich sringar[definition needed] elements
- wide range of dancing pace
- softer facial abhinaya
- extremely elaborate movements
- deep sitting positions
- variety of positions on the floor
In the older, Pandanallur style pani[definition needed], abhinaya is more ritualistic (i.e. in conformity with the rules as set by the ancient texts) than realistic, so the spectators are supposed know the rules to appreciate it. The Vazhuvur pani evolved later than the Pandanallur, and while this did not deviate from the rules of the performing arts treatise Natya Shastra, it adopted the abhinayas that were relatively more realistic. However, some contemporary Bharatanatyam dancers, such as seen in the external link below, have created several transitional sub-styles. This style of Bharatanatyam was made famous and was introduced by Vazhuvoor B. Ramiah Pillai and his ancestors.