From ‘Ragulutondi Mogali Poda’ to ‘Dheera Dheera’: 5 famous dance numbers choreographed by Shiva Shankar Master

By: RAVI HARI, Senior Writer

Legendary choreographer Shiva Shankar Master breathed his last yesterday night (November 28) at a private hospital in Hyderabad due to Covid complications. He was 72.

The ‘born to dance’ Shiva Shankar Master is no more but he will be remembered for producing some beautiful, extraordinary and impressive dance numbers. For his enormous contributions to Telugu and Tamil film industries, he will live forever.

Famous for delivering classy dance steps, Shiva Shankar Master has directed many superhit dance songs. We take a look at some of them.

‘Ragulutondi Mogali Poda’ from “Khaidi” – Nagin dance featured on Chiranjeevi and Madhavi created sensation in 1983

Many fell in love with this Chiranjeevi-Madhavi nagin (snake) dance song ‘Ragulutondi Mogali Poda’. The amazing dance moves – chemistry and coordination between the hero and the heroine – introduced by Shiva Shankar Master created a sensation in the united Andhra Pradesh in 1983. Many nagin dances made later in the film industry didn’t even come close to matching these dance steps.

This memorable nagin dance gave Chiranjeevi his blockbuster song.

‘Manmadha Raasa’ from “Thiruda Thirudi” – Fast-paced energetic dance moves & rise of Dhanush in Tamil

‘Manmadha Raasa’ from the 2003 film choreographed by Shiva Shankar Master became famous for energetic dance moves of Dhanush and Chaya Singh. In this dance, a hit with the audience, Dhanush gave a power-packed high-voltage performance and made his mark as a promising talent. Looking so young, Dhanush displayed mind-blowing energy. And, Chaya Singh was really adorable with her steps.

The fast-paced fantastic choreography in this energetic number made the song the ultimate entertainer. This Shiva Shankar Master-choreographed ‘energy at peak’ song became such a dance treat that the dance steps were repeated in all college anniversaries at that time.

While this song gave Dhanush a rise in his fan base, the choreography was called ‘ahead of its time’.

Last year, actress Chaya Singh when she met Shiva Shankar Master 17 years after her ‘mind-blowing’ dance steps in the Tamil song, recreated the dance moves with him and uploaded the video clip on her Instagram page. Such is the energetic feeling of this hit mass dance number.

Take a look of the short video clip here:

‘Manmadha Raja’ from Telugu film “Donga Dongadi” – Manchu Manoj still remembered for this dance performance

The 2004 movie “Donga Dongadi” starring Manchu Manoj and Sadha is the Telugu remake of 2003 Tamil “Thiruda Thirudi”. Again here, the hero and the heroine excelled with their superb performance in Shiva Shankar Master’s speed choreography. Both of them displayed high energy levels, and the movie, Manchu Manoj’s first as a lead actor, became so famous for this ultimate song.

‘Bhu Bhu Bhujangam Ditthai Tarangam’ from “Arundhati" – Anushka’s brave expressions just give goosebumps

The expressions and brief walks of both Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood were so amazing in the song. All credit here goes to dance master Shiva Shankar for extracting from both the actors the best movements and violent expressions from their eyes. If you watch the song, you notice that in a way, Sonu Sood (the reel villain) also danced with his short movements.

Shiva Shankar Master again became hugely successful with this song for creating sharp looks in Anushka’s eyes and courageous, queen-like expressions in her body language. With her brave expressions, Anushka was the favourite for many and even inspired other heroines to do ‘power’ women-centric characters.

‘Dheera Dheera’ from “Magadheera” – Ram Charan and Kajal’s finest moves made everyone go crazy

The breath-taking choreography of ‘Dheera Dheera’ from “Magadheera” won for Shiva Shankar Master the National Award for Best Choreography in 2011.

The brilliant choreography, eliciting many expressions from Ram Charan’s elegant dance moves in the looks of a handsome prince, stands out. Also, Kajal in her gorgeous finest moves as a princess, was outstanding. And, this song is one of the finest songs ever made in the history of Telugu cinema.

Shiva Shankar Master has choreographed many other memorable songs like these in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

Shiva Shankar Master – an icon, a legend, a lovely person and a wonderful human being. Cinema will miss you. We miss you. But, the beautiful memories that you gave us will continue to entertain us and live with us.