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Priya Ragu 'Adalam Va!' by Sasha Nathwani

Promonews - 11th Oct 2022

Sasha Nathwani launches a new phase of his music video directing career with this scintillating showcase for Tamil-Swiss singer-songwriter Priya Ragu, which combines elements of South Asian cinema and Kill Bill in a eye-catching style the director dubs 'Tamiltino'.

Having celebrated South Asian fashion and culture in her previous videos, the video for Adalam Va! - which translates loosely as Let’s Dance - raises the bar in terms of visual elegance, choreography and pure physicality, with Priya mastering an eye-catching array of intense martial arts moves and energizing dance routines, created by the choreographer Supple Nam.

The eye-popping action and performance elements also dovetail wonderfully within the striking splendour of Strawberry Hill House & Garden, a place that is also clearly influenced by subcontinent architecture.     

Adalam Va! is a most vibrant cocktail of electro-pop and soul-stirring South Indian sonics, with Priya’s voice rising like a beacon of positivity. “Adalam Va! is about hope in the darkest of days," she says. "It’s about the fresh energy that emerges out of these times. We wanted to express that feeling through this song and to get everyone on the dancefloor!”

And Nathawani's well constructed visual captures the essence of the track with admirable wit and timeless cinematic glamour.

“I’ve wanted to work with Priya for a while now," says the director. "This Adalam Va! video was the perfect opportunity. Working collaboratively with Priya and Japhna Gold, we crafted a narrative inspired by classic Tamil films from the 70s and 80s starring Indian film legend Rajinikanth, and fused this with the cinematic flair of Tarantino, coining this combination of styles: TAMILTINO.

"The video tells the story of a Kill Bill-inspired character played by Priya, that liberates a gang of youths enslaved by an evil villain, freeing them through the encouraging chorus line Adalam Va which means Come and Dance.

"Priya really threw herself into the physical challenge of this video, working closely with choreographer and fight supervisor Supple Nam, she learnt how to use a silambam stick, a South Asian martial arts weapon, alongside numerous dance sequences, inspired by South Asian choreography.”

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Promonews - 11th Oct 2022

Tags

  • Director's notes
  • Performance
  • Pop
  • Tarantino
  • Kill Bill

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Credits

Production/Creative

Director
Sasha Nathwani
Producer
Manoela Chiabai
Production Company
Executive Producer
Eleri Evans
Production Manager
Joshua Noon
Production Manager
Smera Kumar
1st AD
Isusko Garcia
Production Assistant
Motunrayo Soyannwo
2nd AD
Fintan Power

Camera

Director of Photography
Focus Puller
Joshua Dadson
2nd AC
Felix Wildey
Steadicam
Gary Kent
BTS
Claryn Chong

Lighting/Grip

Gaffer
Riaz Ahmed

Art

Production designer
Ciaran Beale

Wardrobe

Stylist (Artist)
Jake Hunte
Stylist (Cast)
Natalie Wilkins
Hair (Artist)
Shamara Roper
Make-up (Artist)
Daniela Alves

Choreography

Choreographer
Supple Nam

Casting

Editorial

Editor
Blaine Pearson
Editing company
TenThree

Grading

Colourist
Jonny Tully
Colour grade company

Agent

Director's Representation

Commission

Commissioner
Kirstin Cruickshank
Label
Warner Records

Misc

Hair & Make-up (Cast)
Tasnim Nahar

Promonews - 11th Oct 2022

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