Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation The Foundation was started in memory of Late Sri Rajasekharan and Smt. Sumukhi, who made a substantial contribution in the fields of charity, education and culture in the second half of the 20th C. Both husband and wife were philanthropists, who did not bother about caste or religion. Rajasekharan was a freedom fighter with Rajaji, and owned Vindhya Publications. Sumuki served the Lady Sivaswami Iyer Girls High School, Madras, and after retirement, joined the Kalakshetra school, under Rukmini Devi. The founders Dr. S. Amarnath, a Lecturer in History, S. Surendranath, a Creative Director and S. Aparna, a Chartered Accountant, are the alumni of Kalakshetra, and are the adopted children of Rajasekharan and Sumukhi. The aim of the foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Rajasekharan and Sumukhi through charity.

It was a cultural fiesta involving more than 500 children to herald the Tamil New Year. The presentation showcased the Tamil culture and heritage through music, dance, painting and poetry. To evoke the mood of the show even the audience were requested to come in traditional attire.

Competitions were held in sub-junior, junior and senior levels for choir music, painting, classical dance, carnatic music and poetry (Tamil).

Besides the competitions, the fest also featured Bharatanatyam recitals, carnatic music concerts and 'Vadhya Vrindha' by various dance and music schools.

On the final day, the afternoon session was dedicated to the wonderful art forms of Tamil Nadu like Pinnal Kolattam, Oyilattam, Kuravanji, Kummi, Karagam, Hari Katha and Villupaattu on the greatness of Mylapore.

To commemorate the birth centenary of Rukmini Devi Arundale, there was a special dance feature by the Kalakshetra students.

The special guests for the event were dance gurus Adyar K. Lakshmanan, M.V. Narasimhachari, Asha Jairam of Rasi, Nirmala Thiagarajan, Former Principal QMC, Chennai, musician Rukmini Ramani, Retd. Prof. Leela Ganapathy, Govt. College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Lakshmi Natrajan of the Gokulam magazine and dancer Urmila Satyanarayanan.

The Foundation also presented a 'Talent Award' to four child prodigies.

Contact: S. Surendranath, President, Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation, New No.2, 4th Trust Cross Street, Mandavelipakkam, Chennai - 600 028. Ph : 31038385 / 24935521.
E-mail:lcochennai@cholamandalam.co.in