This photo appeared in the News in 1986. The text was:

"Reflecting Tamil culture

At cultural evening and factions at schools, N. Purushotthaman, a Civil Engineering postgraduate student from India, is providing members of the University community and schoolchildren with a rare opportunity to view Tamil culture.

Purush was among the students of the University who performed at the Newcastle Tamil Sangam’s Cultural evening in the Great Hall on May 31. The traditional saris, jewellery, ankle bells and headdresses turned the stage into a blaze of colour.

Purush estimates that he has given more than 60 performances of classical and folk Tamil dances. He commenced lessons when he was a boy in Madras, his home town, and his dancing keeps him fit because he has practice regularly.

He says he concentrates a great deal on illustrating the beauty of the Tamil dance form. His body movements and facial and hand expressions have to be carefully controlled, as one of the objects is to express a wide range of feelings. All the poses reflect motifs and scenes on walls of ancient Indian temples.

Shortly after arriving in Newcastle in 1983 and being admitted to a PhD degree programme, he found himself combining his membership of the Tamil Sangam with his skill in dancing to help spread interest in Tamil culture.

Purush, who expects to complete his studies next year, holds BE and M Tech degrees in the Institute of Technology, Madras.

Our photograph shows Purush dancing the ancient Bharatha Natyam."

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