On Tuesday (March 14), the Rajya Sabha celebrated India's dual achievement at the 95th Academy Awards, which took place the previous day. The song 'Naatu Naatu' from the film RRR received the prestigious Oscar for Best Original Song, while 'The Elephant Whisperers' won the award for Best Documentary Short.

Following its Golden Globe triumph, 'Naatu Naatu' had already gained significant global attention, and its popularity soared even higher after winning the Oscar. Consequently, there has been a surge in searches for the song. Simultaneously, many people have been searching for the meaning of the term 'naatu naatu'.

During the Rajya Sabha session, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh expressed her joy regarding the discussion surrounding the origin of the term 'naatu naatu'. She mentioned that it is believed to have its roots in Nataraj. Hence, the question arises: what is the meaning of the word 'naatu'?

The meaning of Naatu Naatu

In Telugu, the original language of the film RRR, the term 'naatu' simply means 'dance.' This is why the song has been translated to 'Naacho Naacho' in Hindi, 'Naathu Koothu' in Tamil, 'Halli Naatu' in Kannada, and 'Karinthol' in Malayalam. The film was dubbed in multiple Indian languages to increase its viewership in the Indian subcontinent.

According to director SS Rajamouli, the success of 'Naatu Naatu' stems not only from its music and dance but also from the beautiful story encapsulated within it. He believes that the entire story of RRR is conveyed within the 10-minute lead scene and the complete song of 'Naatu Naatu.'

Rajamouli further stated that although people in America or around the world may not understand the lyrics' meaning, they are drawn to the catchiness and flow of the song. He credits Chandrabose, the lyricist, for his contribution to the song's appeal.

Other facts

The composition of 'Naatu Naatu' by MM Keeravani was sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who delivered an energetic performance at the Oscar ceremony, receiving a standing ovation. The song has now attained legendary status, and much has been written and discussed about its filming in front of the Mariinskyi Palace (presidential residence) in Kiev, Ukraine, just before the Russian attack.

The impeccably synchronized dance moves of the lead actors, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, have also captivated audiences worldwide. The viral dance moves were choreographed by Prem Rakshith, who experimented with around 100 variations of hook steps. It took two months of rehearsals, 20 days of shooting, and approximately 43 retakes to create the visually stunning masterpiece that is 'Naatu Naatu'.