Rare pictures of Balasaraswati

It was an occasion for Aniruddha Knight, grandson of Balasaraswati, to pay homage to the legendary dancer.

And Knight hosted it in style at a late evening do dedicated to this great artiste of the past.

He joined hands with Taj Coromandel hotel and Apparao Galleries for the event.

The who's who in the dance and arts world were there as the party unfolded in the ballroom well after 7.30 pm.

The event included the launch of an exhibition of photographs, the release of a DVD of Balasaraswati's performance and a short film.

Knight paid his personal tribute with a dance.

The recital went on into the night and typical of Chennai, many artistes and guests began to trickle out after the clock struck nine.

If you want to have a glimpse of the rare photos of Balasaraswati's performances (most of which have not been in public before, visit Apparao Gallery at No. 7, Wallace Gardens, 3rd Street (opp. the Taj). This show closes on Dec.30.

Call 28332223 / 28330726 for more details

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Taj chips in . . .

This is indeed a positive development.

The Taj Group of hotels has played host to two events related to the 'season'.

First, the Taj Coromandel co-partnered 'Sruti', the arts magazine, at the re-launch of the publication held at one of its banquet halls. A team of the Taj was in attendance and the high tea was lavish.

An exhibition of rare pictures from the 'Sruti' archives is now on at the Piano Lounge of the hotel in Nungambakkam ('Sruti' needs to caption the pictures better so that less-knowledgeable visitors can appreciate the show).

Days later, the same hotel hosted a show which paid tribute to legendary dancer Balasaraswati. The hotel's GM, Prabat Verma says his group would like to play a more active role in show-casing and promoting the 'season'.

Perhaps, next 'season', Verma could get the group to produce literature on the 'season' and circulate it among its guests, across the country and outside.